Center of Bridgetown, Barbados, Devastated by Fire, 1756
“Extract of a Letter from Barbadoes, Feb. 14 [1756]. On Sunday the 8th instant, between Seven and Eight in the Evening, a Fire broke out from a Store house belonging to Joseph Blackman, Esq; near the Middle of Bridge Town, wherein was a large Quantity of Cotton, landed by proper Orders from a French Ship, brought hither and put under that Gentleman’s Care, till further Orders should be had concerning the Ship and Cargo.
The Fire soon increased, burnt that Store house, and next seized the Dwelling house of Mr. Samuel Nusam adjoining thereto; from thence the Flames caught the opposite and adjacent Houses of Messers. Haggatt, Lampy, Walker, and Codrington Carrington, Esq; and afterwards took its Course Westward to James Fort; which being consumed, the Fire still increasing, burnt the Houses down in Crown Alley up to Cheapside, its progress was then Eastward, burning and Raging in a most dreadful Manner on the South of Broad-street, toward the high House, called the Coffee-House; which being seized, the Flames communicated their destructive Influence to the House of Mr. Blackman, that of Richard Husbands, Esq; the Secretary, where the publick Records were kept (but those were happily preserved) the House and Stores of General Barwick, Messers. Lary, Black, and some other adjoining Houses, which put the whole Town in Danger of being consumed to Ashes.
The Fire abated about Five o’Clock next Morning. It is computed, that about 160 Houses have been burnt, and ‘its said it was in the richest Part of the Town.”
Manchester Mercury, 20 April 1756.
Posted in Barbados, British West Indies, disasters, fire, sugar |
