AWFUL FIRE AT NORFOLK /!
HERALD OFFICE, NORFOLK,
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Friday, March 9-6, A. M.
II has become our painful task to record another
most destructive visitation Of our unfortunate town
by ire which broke out this morning, at half past
one o'clock, in small shell of building South side
OF Main street, few PAGES East of Church street
occupied as whcelwrisht shopby Mr.. E. Balance.


The building was in blaze before it was discover.
ed, and the tenants of the large frame house be-


longing to the heirs of David Patterson, forming
the ). r. corner of Main and Church street, were
not apprzed of their danger until the flames had
communicated to it, such was the rapidty Of their
progress owing to the dryness of the weather, and
a strong S. +. wind.


The buildings on the North side Of Main street.
Immediately opposite the fire, we're also very com
bustbe. The exertions Of the fire companies sue.
ceeded in preserving them. But it is beyond the
power OF our pen to describe the scene which pre-
sented itself when the flames had risen to their
height, in the second building. The wind, which
seemed to have increased in violence. whirled the
sparks and flakes of fire to an immense distance,
descended like drifting snow, which, literally COW
ering the shingled roofs of the houses to lecward
seemed to defy all human power to save them from
confagrat,on. Several times were some of the
most combustible OF them on fire, but as often ex-
hngulsheti by the active exertions of our hardy fire.
men. At length, it was perceived that fake had
lodged on the ample and elevated roof of Christ
Church, (about two hundred and fifty Yards to lee
ward Of the fre) and kindled into blaze. The hose
OF one OF the fire companies was Immediately sent
to extinguish it-but, alas too late. The FIRE had
penetrated into the vacancy between the yaulted
ceiling and the ridge pole, and there was no means
OF ascent within the church--the stream of water
could not reach it from without; and before lad
der of sufficient length could be obtained, the fire
had spread the whole length of the roof and burs!
forth IN terrific grandeur.


The buildings between Main street and the
church, within the parallels Of Church and Fen
Church streets, were now considered out of dam
ger; but those beyond the church, within the same
parallel it appeared to be beyond all human powes
to save The elegant mansion of Walter Heron
Esq. half mile, at least from the original seat Of
the fre, had caught about the same time, and in the
same manner as the Church. Believing his prem
lses IN no danger, Mr.. Heron had gone to render
ASSISTANCE to those who were Immediately threat
ened, as had all the people belonging to his extern
sive rope walk; and We are informed that there
was not a male person on the lot. We regret 70
add, that his house was burnt to the ground, and
but very little Of its valuable furniture saved.


The dwelling house and office belonging 70 B:
Pollard, Esq. onthe N. side of the Church., were,