The Express.
London, England, 1855-07-07 00:00:00

GREAT FIRE AT WATNEY'S DISTILLERY.

THIS DAY.

The most extensive fire that has occurred in the
°minty of Surrey for many years happened this morning, in
the well-known and extensive pile of buildings belonging to
Mews. Watney and Co , the distillers, situate at Wands-
worth.

The premises in question cover nearly three acres of land,
and nut nearly parallel with the Thames. They were

divided into sundry compartments, such u the stores for
grain, still-houscs, usgiae-ruoms, spirit-starer, stabling, and
cart and wisps lodges, forming in the whole probably the
largest building in the parish of Wandsworth.

Between the hours of three and fear o'clock, ono of the
night watchmen discovered fl sines iseeing from one of the
still-bonus, which cont►ined a vut quantity of
spirits; and owing to the inflammable nature of the
contents, the flames extended, comparatively speaking, with
the rapidity of lightning, seising upon the granary at the
back. The building was if large dimensions, sad faced a
large "fire-proof building," bat was separated from it by a
wide yard. In spite, however, of the separation between the
two buildings, end the one being considered so constructed
as to withstand the ravages of fire, very few minutes
elapsed before it became fired to the extent of two floors.
From that point the flames extended to the engine-houses
and mill. The scene then became one of fearful grandeur,
for the flames rose in huge bodies high into the air, ard,
although it we. perfect daylight, the reflection scald be
seen for miles distant, and there seemed not the least chance
of saving any portion of the extensive plant.
Messengers were forthwith sent off to London fir the aid
of the fire-engines, and, with as little delay as possible, the
engines of the perish and of Price's Candle Works arrived,
followed in rapid succession by several of the London Bri-
gade, of the West of Ragland lesaranee Office, and several
others. So great we. the distance of water that the
Southwark Bridge-road engine had to use no less than 600
feet of hose, and even then could not reach the fire ; and it
was found necessary to pump the water into the West of
Ragland engine, which in return had to force the water
another 320 feu before it could reach the biasing property.
There appearing no chinos of saving any portion of the
premises by the aid of the land engines, the powerful steam
filet was sent for from Southwark-bridge, and on its arrival
was set to work from the river Thames. The firemen under
the superintendence of Mr. Braidwood and Mr. Connorton,
and Mr. Hambleton (soling foreman of the D district) kept to
their poets In a most admirable ms , but at the time this
account was written, twelve o'clock at noon, the fire
wax far from being extinguished, but all danger of any
further extension of mischief we. over. This total lose mast
be considerable, probably reaching to 20,0001, as the mine,

the granary, and Mille, are totally destroyed, the roof of the
large factory is burnt off, and two floors of the immense
flre•proof building me destroyed. Fortunately, the
costly maillinery and engines have, owing to the ezertioas
of the firemen, been saved. As far as eau at present be
learned, the lees will fa►l on the Royal, the Liverpool, and
London, and the Globe Are diem.

DUTRUCTIVE FIRE AT THE BRIGHTON AND
80IITH COAST ALILWAT.—Thin morning about half-put
one o'clock, whilmthe dry was raging at Wandsworth, soo-
ther one took place at the goods department of the Brighton
and Booth Coma Railway, near the Bricklayers' Arms,
statics, New Bast.rsad. The dames commraced in a
building of oemaidlarable extent, fitted up with sateen' chaff-
Gutting maahiaa and boiler, whilst the other !hors were
filed with perender, and other artisles. The eagiaes of
the Laden and one of the SoutirEsttern Koilway
quickly but is spite of the esertioes of all present
the In amid ms be extinguished until the premises in
whisk It blips wore burned down. The origin of the Are
wield set be ginned. no compasy, it is vaderstood,
won towed.