The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-08-23 00:00:00

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT DCRY.

About nine o'clock on the evening of Tuesday last, one of the
most destructive tires ever witnessed at Bury broke out in the per.
mists of Mr. Bassett, bran and iron founder. So ral.id was its
progress that in 21) minutes the whole of the extensive model too ist
were enveloped in on.; vast sheet of flame. Thick clouds of smoke
rose in volumes over the lofty columns of fire which nee front
the edifice, casting a red furnace-like glare over the town and sur-
rounding country. A great number of persons immediately as-
eernhleu about the scene of destruction, aid every exertion was
made to stem the. pnrgTe.l tN tne Me; hut owing to me
combustible materisb of which the floors and models were ern-
posed, its fur y for some time mocked every Abet. "fhe complete
destruction of the adjoining buildings was now considered merit.
able, and a very great extent of mischief was apprebenies!.
Foetunately, however, the atmosphere was comparatively calm.
About half-past nine Messrs. Haworth, Hardman, and Co.'s
engine (the only tire-engine in the town) arrived, and walpromptly
supplied with water from the neighbouring pumps and cisterns.
All hopes of saving any part of the building in which the fire ori-
ginated having been given up. attention was ehrected to the ad-
joining premises, on which the flames had now Legan to make in-
roads. The engine was played with its full force ua the gable end
of 'lr. Smith's machine shop, and on the wall of Mr. Bassett's en-
gine-house, the beams and rafters of both which were perceived to
be on fire. A few intrepid individuals ascended the roofs of these
buildings, and poured cans of rater on the beams which were burn-
ing beneath their feet, by which means they completely succeeded
in arresting the further progress of the flames in that quarter.
About ten o'clock the tire began sensibly to abate. Fume atttonpts
were :mule to cutaway part of the roof of tl.e moulding-shop, I.
prevent time further spread of the tire in that direction, Out. by .4
copious supply of water, it was treed& euinguish.d. In the
short space of two himrs, the whole of the boatlinK in which the fn.,
conimenced, together with the nialt.mills. b.an molls, indigo-mill..
Whets. dee., and an extensive collection of models, waieh on
cost several thousands of pounds, were reduced to a confused mass
of smoking ruins. Mr. Smith's property suffered considerably
by a premature and precipitate removal. Happily no lives were
lost.
The ffenelly feeling entertained by the immense mul•itude
wants the respee,ed owners of the property, evioeed itself in
promptitude with which every possible assistance 114:1 reodercit.
Mr. Kenyon opened his warehoure for the reception of the prom T. y
that was rescued fnun denruetion. Mr. ‘1 eodeoelc, solicitor,
threw open his lobby doors, to facilitate the conveyance of wanly
ft iat his pump to the engine ; and even females were ofen exerting
themselves in thr necessary work of conveying water, in such a way
as to emulate their masculine fellow-labourers.
Me. Bassett, IF • uuderstand, is insured, but cot ta the ans.;u:.t at
his lose.—Afeeckester Guardia's.