The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-29 00:00:00

ALARMING FIRE.

Last night, about eleven o'clock, the inhabitants living in
the locality of Bevington Bush, were thrown into the greatest
consternation by an alarm of fire, which it was found had
broken out in the extensive tenancy occupied by Messrs.
Barton and Son. No sooner had the alarm been given,
than the intelligence was received at the fire station in Temple
Court, and Mr. Hewitt, the superintendent of th e fire brigade,
with all the appliances connected with that establishment were
on the move. No sooner had the fire broke out, then, from
the nature of the property on the premises, it immediately
burst out into a great flame, which was seen at sonic
distance, and, combined with the stench from the burning
leather, causcdhundreds of persons to repair to the scene. The
premises are very extensive, the upper part of which are chiefly
wards or drying room, in whicicthe leather, after going
through the process of tanning, is placed for drying,
and beneath is the depot for cork, and other products. It
appears that the fire broke out in one of the tan sheds,
but at present no positive cause has been ascertained
as to how the fire originated ; but it opened with
great vehemence, and before the fire brigade could
possibly get there, the whole place was in flames, and the
tire was distinguishable for miles round. As soon as the
fire brigade arrived the hoses were placed, and with judi-
cious management, and a plentiful supply of water, the fire
was extinguished, considering its magnitude, in a
very short time. There cannot be a doubt, but had
it not been for the invaluable assistance of the
fire brigade, who were speedily in attendance, and who
are so well trained for such emergency, that the loss of
property would have been immense. The fire was extin-
guished with the greatest alacrity, and the chief constable,
Captain Greig, was in attendance as soon as the fire was
discovered, and by his judicious arrangements
mainly assisted in keeping order, and thus preserved pro-
perty which must otherwise have been destroyed. Having
witnessed a great number of fires, in some of which an im-
mense amount of property was involved, but we never saw a
greater amount of efficiency shown on any occasion than
was displayed by the fire brigade. The loss is considerable,
but the property is fully insured.

WHAT WH OUGHT TO Do.—A "Naval Officer," in the
Times, makes the following suggestions which are indeed
obvious enough to all those who direct their speculations to
the question "What ought we to do ?" We have little
doubt that they would be equally effective as obvious :
Until the 10th of April the Russian Baltic fleet may be con-
sidered hors de combat, and the shores of England safe from
aggression. The first step, therefore, should be the collec-
tion in the Black Sea of every disposable ship belonging to
the allies. Before the end of January 13 English, 13
French, and 4 Turkish sail of the line might be concentrated
there, and Sebastopol and the Russian fleet of 18 sail of the
line should be totally destroyed. A small squadron of five
sail of the line from each of the allies might be left to as-
sist the Turkish arms, but the fleets of France and England,
with that exception, should by brought to England, and
with slight exertions a fleet of 34 sail ot the line might ren-
dezvous in Yarmouth Roads before April was far advanced.
This formidable fleet, flu.4lted with victory, w )uld, on its ar-
rival in the Baltic, paralyse the Russian flea of 28 sail ot
the line, and, if Cronstadt be not impregnable, might de-
stroy it there,