The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-08-22 00:00:00

FIRE AT ST. THOMAS'S.

[From the St. Thomas's Times of July MI
It is with deep regret that it falls to our lot to record the
melancholy catastrophe which heel this unfortunate town,
on the morning of Thursday last, the 13th instant, by
fire. It was discovered between twelve and one o'clock,
and found to have originated in the house, No. 42, Norre
Gude, King's Quarter. The devouring flames issued forth
with such amazing rapidity, that in a short time after the
alarm was given, the adjoining buildings to the north,
and Mrs. Cloette's house, on the south, had already caught;
thence the fire communicated to the Custom-house build-
ing, which was soon entirely destroyed. Here, happily,
its further progress to the westward was arrested; but on
the northern side continued to rage with great fury in a
line toward Government-house, which at one time was in

most imminent danger, but from some of the small build-
ings in its vicinity having been most judiciously cut down,
it, and consequently the eastern part of the town, escaped
the fire, which having now settled at the northern end of
Mr. Nissen's house, the greatest exertions were made to
subdue it, which, at about day-light, were fortunately
vo.vnetl with success.

The following is a list of the principal houses destroyed:
—The.Custorn-house buildings; the Royal Secretary's and
Book-keeper's offices and dwelling; the Danish church;
the houses of Mr. ft. Hoheb, Mrs. Lind, Mrs. Vessup,
Mr. John Wright, Mrs. Cloette, Pejtersen, Mrs. Mocatta,
Mr. Morrison, and Mr. Correa; besides several smaller
houses attached to the above.

It is lamentable to reflect that, in consequence of the ra-
pidity of the fire, the occupants of the above houses had
but little or no time to save much of value. The inhabit-
ants of all parts of the town removed whatever they could
to the surrounding hills, by which property to a consider-
able amount was lost and broken.

An illicit distillery was discovered at No. 3, Primrose-
street, Bishopsgate-street, on Thursday last, which was
fitted up as a manufactory of colouring for spirituous
liquors. The premises were barricadoed in such a manner
as to justify forcible entrance, which was effected by four
Excise officers on Thursday afternoon, and who, to their
astonishment, found that a most extensive trade had been
carried on. The premises, which are very spacious, con-
tained three stills of large dimensions (and every necessary
apparatus), one of which was in a vault underneath a large
vat, the entrance to which (concealed by a stone) was a
round hole, not more than twenty itiche in diameter.
None of the parties have yet been detected, although it is
evident some of them made their escape at the titne.the
officers entered. Great ingenuity was displayed in the fit-
tings up, so as to deceive the Excise officers. Two hundred
and fifty gallons of raw spirits were found (fifty above
proof), which, together with the whole of the materials,
were yesterday removed to the Excise Office. Our inform-
ant observed the name of Thomas Cole over the gateway
of the pre-nises. The occupier of the premises has ab-
sconded. Several similar discoveries have been made within
the last month by the Excise officers.
A Coroner's inquest was held at St. Bartholomew's Hos-
pital, yesterday evening, to inquire into the cause of the death of
Daniel Fisher, acumen, aged 36, who met his death by a fall front
a hayloft.—William Mann stated, that the deceased was in the
employ of Mr. Depree, of the savoy Wharf, Strand ; that of er
putting his horses in the stable on Saturday night, about 10 o'clock,
he went into the hay-loft on the second story, about 30 feet high,
where he frequently slept when he vas late, having no famili.
witness opening the gates between three and four o'clock on Sun.
day morning, he saw the deceased lying on his back, beside a trim
of hay on the pavement ; he was unable to speak, and covered with
blood. \Witness called another carman, and informed his master,
who had him immediately conveyed to this Illospitul.—samuei
Smith, the carman above mentioned, corroborated the above state-
ment.-31r. T. Ilretull, dresser, 5/9/ the deceased after he was
brought in ; his right ear was tiesrly otE, his right eye thread out
of the socket, and his skull fractured in two places ; a hoar teem
o"e of the fractures bad pet • rated his braiu, mid caused h'at death.
Vet Met—Accidental death.