The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-07-02 00:00:00

THE LATE FIRE.

lifondey, June 25.
At A o'clock this Inoening a large body of labourers,
under the direction of Mr. Freeman, surveyor to the
Hun Fue-office, and Mr. Engineer Hamliu, of Farringdon-
street, set to work to search for the body of their
courageotts, coel, and highly telpeeted chief. After
about en hour's indefatigable exertions a portion of
the body was vie able, and at that usonseut it is impossible
to describe the sane of anxious excitement that was
manifeeted —clerks, firemen, offioers of the brigade, as
well as superiutendanta and inspector of police, were
ruelsiug to and fro—all desirous and all eager to lend
e. helping hand towards the extrication of their late
colleague. At last they succeeded in entirely clearing
away the de/ris humedietely around the corpse, and
a spectacle then presented itself such as was scarcely ever
seen. The unfortunate gentleman was completely
doubled up, his head being bent on one side and entirely
flattened, as well as the leather end brass helmet which
he wore ; both his legs broken, and his Arm nearly
dragged suit were away from his body. Mr. llrikbeek,
the einin•le w, then took charge of the body, which was
placed in the counting-house of Mr. May, and Mr.
Squires, the coroner's officer, who was sent for, re-
quested fur the present that it might remain there.
In cense:um:nee of the contradictory reports and the
anxious questions asked as to whether there are more
tlian Mr. Itraidwood buried, special inquiries have been
and al, are informed by 11r. O'Connor, of
the grin of 31essis. O'Connor and Scott, that the
' lees of the latter gentleman was but too true, lie had
only arrived upon the premised souse twenty nainutes
before the wall fell ; but beyond this no other reliable
ill(01 usteon could be gathered. At ',resent it. is found
impoiseible to proceed with the work of clearing away,
and uutil this is dune it will be impossible to state the
exact truth.
The spot where the noble warehouses A, It, C, E, and
F stood, and which contained no less than 30.000 'bests of
tea, and 140,000 hogshesoe of tallow, teeether with
very large quantities of sal:petre. bacon, butter, cheese,
rice, skins, bile,,, snd •Iniusit every puesible airtime of
consemption that can he mentioned, is now a tease of
rums. The file is also raging at the rear of Messrs.
Hay's (or Huiiiiihery's) wharf, and the land steam
engines, as wells. butte the floats still continue sending
forth thousands of tons of water, and in all probability
in the course of today the flumes will be extinguished.

An regards the isisrance nothing for certai;can be
ascertained ; but Metiers. tkaivell end Humphery ars
said to nave stated that th..y were fully convinced their
loss alone wmi over two minium§ sterling.
'I he burning ruins have been visited by the Earl of
Stamford and lady, the Lord Mayor, and many other
eminent gentlemen and their ladies. Sir Itiohard
Mayne was accompanied On Saturday night by the
Prince of Wales, who exhibited great anxiety.
The houses in the ward in which Mr. Braidwood
resided are partially clre-ed, as well as the various
insurance offices of the metropolis. The deceased in
all probability will have a publio funeral, and is, we
understand, to be interred in Abney Park Cemetery.
High praise is due to the noble, valiant, and untiring
body of men constituting the London Fire Brigade.
Their exertions from 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon
, till '2 o'clock, on Monday, cannot be too well spoken of.
We may specially notice the services rendzred by
Engiuter Tozer, a Toolcy street, whose engine was first
on the spot; Cooper. • f Southwark, whine engine was
I secoud ; Medcalfe, of Waterloiestation, third to arrive;
Perryer, Palmer, White, of the County Office, Santon,
' and others, whose engines were rapidly on the spot.
It is now known beyond a doubt that on the night of
the fire, when great quantities of the grease were float-
ing, very wally lives were lost in the efforts made to
collect it. It is not probable that the number of
these unfortunate persons who thus fell victims to their
rashness or cupidity will ever be ascertained, though
there is now but too much reason to fear that many
thus perished. One o the police inspectors Alone
witnessed five such fatal accidents. The first was to • '
nian alone in a boat, who reaching out to scoop up the
floating grease, overbalanced and fell into the water snd
ice drowned. Another shocking case we are toll was
distinctly seen fruui the landiug stage on the other
side of liumphrey's dock in front of the eastern and
still uninjured part of //Aria wharves. Four young
men were in • boat, which they had collected almost
full of grease ; suddenly a great flood (.1 the boiling
fat, all on fire, rushed from one of the burning wharves
out upon the Thames. The boat in which the men were
was immediately surrounded be the blazing mass, and
the grease it contained ignited. The four men were
teen to plunge into the river, but none of thein were
recovered. In fact, from the at.ite of the flame+, on the
water no aid could by any possibility have been extended
to them.
There appears to be not the least doubt that the fire
was caused by spontaneous combustion among the
hemp. It is a much Mute COlnniOn CAUSO of such
disasters than is generally supposed. Even in Private
houses, where damp and greasy clothes are left in
disused scullery cupboards, it is known to be the first
cause of many mysterious conflagrations. If the work'
men had nut coininitk4 the inexplicable fault of leaving
_

epee the sliding fireproof doors that communicate
between the wareliouees there is no doubt the incip ent
combustion might have been etified in its own e:sioke at
the very outset; hut thew doors being unfortunately open
all the Boors acre so filled with Ilinding titmice that none
could enter them for inure than a few yard. Even
then, however, the teat of fire could be distinctly wen,
and it was very email, to that had any engine been
on the premises it is said it could have been extinguished
at once. There was none, however, and the seen could
do nothing but look on till the engine. caine. They
were won on the spot, hut, as usual, there was no
water. We hove been aneured that wine 41 the
engines were waiting more than en our -the firemen
mere helplem spectators of the fast-spreading conflagra-
tion. and that constantly during the night, and at the
newt critical molecule, they were compelliel to etop
working from the inadequacy of the water eupply.
TuranaY, 2 P.M.
The fire is burning along nearly the %hole of the
river frontage. About 11 o'clock this morning the offi-
erre ou duty at the branch (astern-house situate tithe
corner 41 the gateway leading down to Cotton's late
wharf were alarmed at ilumenee volumes of black smoke
rolling up from the lower part of the premises. This
was won discovered to erocerd from the vaults he-
inedietely under the preiniees, which were filled with
barrels of tallow, and the fire having poeml access to
these vaults from the removal of the brickwork and
rubbish, the flames, greatly freshened by the
breeze, poured forth in great strength. A strong
body of the brigade was at once directed to the smut,
and at this time are pouring large streaws of water
upon it and into the vaults. The firemen have given
notice to the Inmates of the Cmitome, Mr. Richardson,
of the Crapes Tavermnext door, awl to Messrs. Nethard,
Chatfiry, and Gibeue, the occopiere of the remain-
ing three houses funning the block of buildings, that
they had better tio prepared for the wind, for if the
&MeV in these vaults erre wain the aeceniimicy, of
which there is a probability, nothing can ,54e their pro•
pe!ty. The principal efforts of the fireim n will be
directed to the houses on tl ii. opmedte side of the street,
immediately abutting on tl e railway buildings. The
whole morning has been occupied therefore by the
inhebitants in removing as much of their furniture and
stock in trade as had been left behind.
While fireman 108 and two of his comrades were play-
ing upon a portion of the ruins, auout ten o'clock this
mormr.g, a large wall which hill been in • dangerous
position bulged outwards and tell with a tremendous
crash, inflicting some severe bruises on the three men.
Hail they been but one yard nearer the wall, nothing
could have prevented their altering the fate of their
lamented superintendent. It is quite time something
was decided mem by the proper authorities as to the
destruction of them dangerous mountains of bricks,
as the firemen are constantly working in peril of being
crushed to death, and the lives of them brave men are
too valuable to be needlessly exposed.
The heavy rain that has beeu falling all the monde,s
instead of damping seeing to act us stimulant to the
amoultlering heaps of fire, for every few minutes a large
tongi e of flame shoots up from on part or another of the
ruins, followed by an ezelosion of saltpetre, which
seems to be distributed about in every spot, driving away
both firemen and labourers from their work. The most
experienced firemen bay that, suppoaing no further cites-
don takes plate, it will be at least • week before they
will be able completely to extinguish the great m urs el
Are still remaining.
At 12 o'clock this morning a hearse arrived to convey
the remains of Mr. Braidwoud from the warehouse of
Mr. May, where it had been viewed by the jury prior
to the inquest. to Ilia residence in Watling-street.
The Prince of Waal» again visited the place yesterday,
and made a minute inspection of the ruins as far as it
wee safe to do so.
The officials of the various assurance offices have been
busy since yesterday in endeavouring to ascertain some-
thing like en approsiumtiou to Om toes they will sustain,
but have as yet wade little progress. The representa-
tives of the offices forming the ormainittee of the Fire
Brigade have iseued a publianotice requesting all perilous
insured and sufferers from the tire to send in a statement
of their tomes as early as possible. This, however, will
be a work of some difficulty, as, until the vaults and
cellars are sufficiently reeled to examine them, it will be
quite iinpomible for a great number of the persons who
have gouda stowed there to ascertain what amount of
lose they have suffered.
The origin of the fire seems to be involved in the
deepeetobecurity. It may have arisen from the careless-
lemmata neighbour,from spontaneous eumbustion,or from
other CILIUM{ but the greatest surprise ia felt by the
wharf authorities that it thoulil have occurred at all,
so great has been their care in storing combustible
matter, and so stringent have been their rules for the
regulation of the workmen. Thus, every day the dust-
bilis were emptied and floors carefully swept, so on to
prevent the possibility of spontaneous combustion
arising fmni accumulation of refuse, while no tobacco-
pipe—filled or empty—was allowed to be brought upon
the premises by anyone employed there if the fact was
known. Nor were any naked candles allowed to be
Lampe only were used and thew were placed
tinder rentnetions IA stringent as those existing in any
colliery in the kinedons There was • lamp-keeper
eepecially responsible for the lamps, which were num-
bered and placed in his exclusive charge. He filled
them, trimmed them, and kept them in aloes custody
except when required for actual service. Then it was
his place to light them. lock Wein, keeping the key
until the men brought them back again, when he
extinguished cud locked them again. At night lie wade
up his list, and took it to the superintendent to show
that all was right. If, by chance, one was found lobe
uelaing the men was sought for against whose name the
number was entered, and there was no rest for anyone
till the delinquent was found.
Among the visitors were the following :—'l.he Duke
of Buceleuch, the Earl anti Countess of Cardigan, Mr.
mid Mrs. Disraeli (the right lion. gentleinan being at
first refused admittance to the gateway of the wharf,
bemuse the policeman in charge did not recognise
the Lsdy Mayoress, Lord Berton, Earl elpeneer,
Lord Alfred Paget, and Lady (dower.
At • late hour the remains of Mr. Braidwood were
removed from Cotton's-wharf, to his resident» in
Watling-street. It bail been arranged that the removal
eli suld take place at nine o'clock, but in order to avoid
incenvenience it was decided to postpone the reinova:
until darkness should have completely art in, notwith-
staeding which the Imam in whisk the body was
plmed was followed to Watling-street by a great body
of people:
The crowds of spectators again inessed in magni-
tude as the *sr* shut ia, end. dan•britly, its
foAwaye, cannee-rosad, and penis, ,as well as abia

river itself, its quays and approaches, once more pm-
tented • scene of stranAe and shoost will excitement,
the case of the late lainented Mr. Bmidwood, the
coroner's' jury returned a verdict of " Accidental
Death ;" at the mile time the foreman expressed their
deep sympstliy with the friends of Mr. Briii.lwood on
his tnelanch,ly death. The inhabitants of Tusiley-atreet,
Icud unfortun •taly obt druid a notoriety with regard to
fires, and eighteen or nineteen years ago, whets there
was one which destroyed Topping's•wherf, Fenning's-
wharf, and St. Dlave's Church, come if them became
aclusinted with Mr. Bruidwood. They could not tali,
expressing their admiration of the manner in which lie
dkeliorgetl his duty, and they could not separate
without expressing their deep regret at ham melancholy
deal h.

Mr. &oven also paid the tribute of his admiratiou
and respect to the memory of the deceased, and ex-
pressed the profoundest regret at his awful fate. He
said he had seen Mr. Brentwood in the dhcharge of
his duties on many occasion,. and had regarded him
as the moot efficient offloer he had seen in any
capacity.
The verdict was then recorded, u were similar ver-
dicts in the other cases, the proceedings connected with
which were unintere2dMg.

hontion.bridge and its -approaches on Wednesday, bore
a closer resemblanee to their manna condition than at
any previous time since the outbneak of the conflagra-
tion. On the Midge itself there was • line el loungers
along the parapets gaging over on the ruins, but the
traffic appareolly wts free front oh.truction. No
crowds Mucked the footways, uhilethe cabs and omni-
buses were neither more numerous than usual, nor
better filled, the outside of the hattr in fact, being as
bare of passengers as ou any other showery niorning at
this season of the yeer. 'may. along the water
side opposite too, were comparitively free trout in-
truders, and the waternien no longer reaped a golden
harvest by carrying curious spectators to survey the
scene of ruin from the surfine of the river. In Tooley-
strkwt the harriers bad been considerably contracted in
their extent during the night, so as to impede the basi-
licss traffic as little as poseible sud the umber of polioe
on duty was also reduced. !tense volumes of smoke
still iontinned to ri-e front various portiims of the huge
mound iof debris Tread over the wide area of I lestruc-
tinn. hut ',either in the open spaces nor along the lines
of cellerage were the indications of living flame at all
comparable with those of yesterday. No doubt great
bashes of fire still exist, more particularly in the vaults,
but as nioro wall, have been knocked down during the
right, for the purl use of enabling the firemen to gain •
nearer and more direct canoes to the underground cellar-
age. the ceaseless; streams of water poured in have suc-
ceeded in mastering the fury of the condagration, and
have smothen.,l down those fiery volutnes which before
produced so tremendous an effect. Owing to this there
is now no longer any fear of any fresh outbreak of a
dangerous character, but many days must elapse before
the engine* can be withdrawn, or the exertions of the
firemen be discontinued.

At an early hour this morning a numerous body of
workmen were employed in constructing hoarding along
the [rooter Hay's-wharf, the branch Custein-house and
the two dwelling-houses between the Toolerstreet
frontage of which had been condemued RS dangerous by
the district surveyor, and sonic further removals of sal-
vage stock also took place from the cellars in the same
quarter.
The bode of Mr. Scott, hide merchant, who it is sup- ,
posed was killed at the same time and by the same cause
as Mr. Braidwood, has not yet been found. The labour-
ers yesterday employed in searching for it, resumed
operations this morning, under the superintendence and
direction of Mr. O'Conner, the unfortunate gentleman's
brother-in-law and partner. Every effort was made for
some hours. and every accessible place near the spot
where Mr. Scott was seen standing just before the wall
fell was diligently turned over, but no signs of the body
presented itself. The firemen themselves are inclined
to think that he succeeded in pressing his way to the
river, aid that he fell in end got drowned.
By an official calculation on the part of the Fire-
offices. the result of which became known this morning.
it appears that the value of the property destroyed after
allowing for salvage, amounts to about t 1.500.000, and
even this may be considerably reduced by the recovery
of a larger quantity of salvage than is included in the
calcnlation, which is now admitted to be exceedingly
probable. Still, this is • question which summit be defi-
nitely decided for souse time to come, inasmuch as the
foremen of the Fire Brigade are of opinion that the fire
will continue to smoulder in the vaults and under the
leaps of wreck for five or six weeks to come, and that
after that time the recovery of the salvage will be the
work if at least three or four months.

:t has been ascertained that the following goods were
recently lying at Cotton's-wharf, most of which are de-
stroyed by the fire :--Bugar. 878 tons; coffee, 420 tons ;
cocoa, 313 hags ; rice, 4,487 tans; Pepper, 241 tons;
ginger, 30 cisska, 737 cases, and 162 hag.; cassia, 167
packages ; cao.ia hods. 12 packages; nutmeg*, 20 pack-
ages ; mace, 9 packages; cloves, 684 packages; sage.
785 tons ; 'ago flour, 88 tons; cochineal, 490 hap; lac
dye, 1.918 packages; saltpetre, 484 ton.; jute, 1.150
tons; India cotton, 17,764 bales; cardamons, 15 pack-
ages; crutch, 6.1 tons; galls, 23 packages ; pins. 763
packages; gutta percha, 27 tons; hemp, 1,202 tons ;
oil. 214 tons; castor oil, 427 ewes ; sallower, 167 balas;
aeons, 87 bales ; shellac, 63 packages; gambit!, 311
tons ; and tallow, 8.800 cask-u. At Hay's-wharf, which
is partially destroyed, it is known that 16,000 bap of
Mauritius sugar were lying.