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Show Disastrous Fireworks ou Sunday. Wilmington, February 22. The steamer "Bladen," plying between this city and Fayettville, N. C, caught firo Sunday afternoon after-noon about 4 o'clock, just before reaching her wharf, and owing to the inflammable nature of her cargo, consisting of rosin, spirits of turpentine, and cotton, was immediately im-mediately enveloped in flames. The pilot headed her for the nearest available wharf, and the passengers succeeded in escaping, some by boats from adjoining vessels and others by jumping overboard, when they were quickly rescued. The steamer landed against the wharf of the New York and Wilmington Steamship Company and the fire was quickly com'munioated to the shed3. and warehouses thereon. All the wharves and sheds being saturated with rosin and turpentine the spread of the fire was rapid, and despite the efforts of the firemen became be-came a disastrous conflagration. There was a gale blowing from the southwest and soon the blocks on the water front were burning furiously. At about 8 o'clock the fire was gotten under control, but not until it had destroyed $1,500,000 worth of property. ' |