The Burning of Norfolk is an incident that occurs on January 1, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War.
British Royal Navy ships in the harbor of Norfolk, Virginia begin shelling the town, and landing parties caome ashore to burn specific properties.
The town, whose significantly Tory (Loyalist) population has fled, is occupied by Whig (Revolutionary) forces from Virginia and North Carolina.
Although these forces work to drive off the landing parties, they do nothing to impede the progress of the flames, and begain burning and looting Tory properties.
After three days, most of the town has been destroyed, principally by the action of the Whig forces.
The destruction is completed by Whig forces in early February to deny use of even the remnants to the British.
Norfolk is the last significant foothold of British authority in Virginia; after raiding Virginia's coastal areas for a time, its last Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, leaves for good in August 1776'
