The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-11-09 00:00:00

DREADFUL FIRE.

'From the Bath Journal.]
On Friday evening last, the extensive cloth manufactory of
Messrs. Cooper, Brothers, and Co. at Staserton, near Bradford,
was discovered to be on fire, by some of the met) at work on the
' lowest floor at the falling Mills; they first saw the flames issue
through the floor above their heads, so that the lire hail already
committed great destruction to the various machinery and other va-
luable property in the upper rooms, and, be the time of die arrival
of the fire-engines, which was effected with the utmost dexterity,
the raging element had attained so much power, that every effort
'to subdue it proved unavailing. The factory was the largest in
that part of the county, and the fire, about a quarter put nine
o'clock, presented one of the grandest and mart awful spectacles
that can be imagined. It was only a few hours before the whole
of this truly noble building was razed to the ground, and its va-
luable apparatus and stork of cloth reduced with it to a heap of
mi.'s. It was with great difficulty the firemen were enabled to
save the dwelling-house of Mr. Cooper, which stands coma:mous
to the factory, front destruction: the furniture was unavoidably
much damaged in being removed. What adds to this dreadful
calamity is, the eircumstaree of Messrs. Cooper and Company
having only a short time previous made improvements and
Lions to the premises at a great expense. The destruction of this
factory has deprived of employment upwards of one thousand
poor inhabitants of Bradford and its neighbourhood., who are now
destitute of the means of obtaining a livelihood. During the
bustle and confusion occasioned by the fire, some miscreants were
base enough to plunder the dwelling-house of its furniture as fast
as it was rescued from the flames ; but we are happy to learn, one
of the wretches was detected with the goods in his possession, and
is now in custody. The pr'uperty, we understand, as insured, but
very inadequately to its valce.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
MELISETAM, Nov. R.

The damage occiudoued by the fire at Staverton is estimated at
about 100.0110/. and it is reported that the insurances cover only
WHIM.; 300 ends of cloth were burned. The lady of the spirited
proprietor was in a peculiarly delicate situation at the nom, and
was under the necessity of being removed from the dwelling.house,
while a diabolical villain within took ;Advantage of the distress, and
robbed the house of the plate. Ile is in custody.
TROWBNIDGE 6.
Nov.•
- • • • • • -

Last night, shout ten o'clock. this town was alarmed by the
ringing of tire bells ; flux wan Staverton factory on tire • the
situation is nearly two miles from us, but in this pariah, and was
the most considerable establishment for the manufacturing of wool.
len cloths in the county of ll'ilts. The building was six stories
high, nod the whole was, about half-past nine, in one mass of
names, anti about a quarter-past ten the roof began to fall in. The
lire was augmented by the quantity of oil used in the working of the
wool in its different processes. Every attention was given by the
inhabitants of this town and Bradford, a lire-engine from each
place being there, in addition to the one kept on the premises, and
to the skilful management of which, the preservation of the other
building adjoining is to he ascribed.