On Wednesday the 5th Instant, about Two in the Morning, a Fire broke out in Water-Street, at the Blockmaker’s Shop, near the Rose and Crown; and the Chief Buildings thereabouts being Wood, it presently got to such a Head, that tho’ no Industry was wanting, it could not be mastered till 6 or 7 Dwelling Houses, besides Stores, &c. were reduced to Ashes. William Clymer, Blockmaker, John Ryan, Merchant, Thomas Say, Sadler, Thomas Ingram, Tavernkeeper, Robert Hopkins, Baker, and others, were burnt out, and the Fire was so sudden, that some of them sav’d but very little, and others none of their Goods, (except Mr. Say who sav’d almost every thing by the Diligence of the Fire-Company, of which he was a Member.) The Engines and Leather Buckets were of vast Service; a strong Party Wall, with a Battlement above the Roof, contributed very much to the Saving of Mr. Till’s new House, and consequently the rest of the Row towards Market-Street, the Wind, tho’ there was not much, being that Way. Collections are making for the Sufferers, which we hear amount already to 7 or 8 hundred Pounds; one Gentleman having given 100 Pistoles, and others very considerable Sums.

We hear there are several new Companies erecting in Town for mutual Assistance in Case of Fires.