The Sun.
London, England, 1806-09-02 00:00:00

FIRE AT 11ILLLI1VK.

•YEstßanAy-rnotning between 5 and (i o'clock,
a fire broke out in_the premises of Mr. w. SaTtTH
and Mr. Coox.E, at Millbank, near Battersea-
Bridge. They had
_formerly been -employed as a
slistillery, but --have for, some time been converted
into corn-mills. The works consisted of a very
large building, containing a steam engine which
worked the mill-stones, on
.one side, of which is a
-dwelling-house,' occupied by the family of Mr.
CooKE, but separated from the main strudure by
a dock for the admission of barges, and other
craft. On the other side arc warehouses, &c. in
which was an immense mash-tub. Behind these is
a -yard of considerable magnitude, at the eastern ex j.
-
tremity of which is an edifice, in which numerous
coolers -were placed, conneded with the
.main
building by a 'long gallery. The western side of
the yard is likewise occupied by warehouses,
coopers' shops, &c. Nearly the whole of these
extensive premises were at the time filled in
a great measure with' corn and flour. The fire
commenced in the principal strudure, and vari-
ous reports of its origin are in circulation ; some
assert, that it was caused by the mill-stones, and
others say, that the accident happened-from a stop-,
page in the chimney ; but the more prevalent opi7.
Mon is, that it was occasioned by the bursting of
the steam-engine. Before six o'clock,-great part of
the chief edifice was in flames, and, a Very small
I quantity of flour, with the greatest exertions, could
be saved_ The family in the dwelling-house, fear-
ing that the conflagration might cominueicate, re-
moved the furniture into tht. garden in front ;
:and
about a quarter before seven the-Pimlico -Volun-
' teers, with the greatest alacrity, al geared on the
ground to keep order: to prevent depredations by
the snob, and to hinder persons from:running 'into
danger. A few minutes afterwards, a small engine
arrived, but not possessing sufficient power to
reach the flames, which were spreading. devasta-
tion in the warehouses, the men were forced to
be, content with cooliPg the walls of the dwel-
: ling, to prevent them from catching fire, Before-
any other e-assistance -arrived (the engines being
detained in a distant part of the metropolis) the root
of the principal struEture fell in with, a dreadful
crash;-:andit was not until near half past seven. that
any. larger engines carne, that were. able in the
slighteSt degree
~tjo quell the, fury of the flames.
When, however, they did appear, another ditii
co; tv arose ; for singular as it may seem, as the pre-
mis&s are situated on the -river's bank, and as, a
• dock.runs directly under the side of the building, yet
no water could be got at ; for the tide was then
nearly flood, and the sluices of the doek had un-
fortunately been opened a short time previous to
the fire's breaking out.. To remove this obstruc-,
ttiin, the engines, by means of ropes, were slung
down the wall which supported the banks, and
forced into the river. By this Jime the flames
.had
communicated to the family residence by
,means of
a ,cooden pipe, which ran .down the brick-work,
and the lead en the rout' began to melt. file' men
immediateity employed teemselves with bue!,ets to
extinguish the fire, id, which, with the assistance
of sum of the Volunteers, they succeeded: It was
now perceived that the gallery uniting the ware-:
houses on the east side or the yard \yeti) tie prin-
cipal building was on tire, and the conflagration
was like!) to extenu itself to taat range. The water
from three or four engines was nnmediately direCt-
et' I against it. ..k‘iie:ie eiwctions were found, how-
.ever, insufficient, and it was necessary to knock.
down part of the gallery to prevent further com.-
munication. By about half past seven the con-
- flagation in the main structure was in some degree
abated ; but it was discovered that the wing- which
(„entained the Large tuashttub, was in flames, and a
large body of water was employed against it, by
which means it was put out. Another disaster now
occurred; fur the tire was found to have coanuni-
i
sated to three barges (one, of them laden with coals)
which lay in the dock beneath the building, by
means of pieces of burning timber which had fallen
down upon them. Assistance was procured, and
the fire' in that part was extinguished. At eight
o'clock the engines had completely conquered the
flames, and about an hour afterwards nearly the
whole front, the timber which supported it being
destroyed, fell to the ground with 4 tremendous
noise, having goMe time previous given notice to
the spe&ators by bulging violently., At
_ten the
fire was so far out as to afford, no farther alarm to
the adjoining houses, and at noon the Sun Fire
floe! iug engine arrived, totally td extinguish it.
The principal building is entirely destroyed : the
warehouses on the west Side of the 'yard are coin-,
- pietely
,guited„leaving only the walls and .the main
raftcrs standing, which supported the roof:- .the
warehouse containing the mash-tub is greatly da-
;paged, but those on the east side of the 'yard are
untouched ; the dwelling-house remains likewise
undamaged.

A fire broke out last night, at nine o'clock, 'in
Bevis Marks,. Houndsditch, in the house of Mr.'
Harris, tailor, which raged'With great violence, and
entirely consumed the same. It extended to the
neighbouring honseS, which were also much damaged.
Yesterday morning a young woman, about thirty
years of age, well dressed, :threw a child, about seven
years of age, into the. Queen's liason, in the Green
Park, and atterwards walked in.deliberately after it.
The Park Constable observing the transaction, went
in anu brought out the child, and afterwards suc-
ceeded in rescuing the mother, who was taken to
the receiving-house, and,- after a long process, re-
stored. to hie. Distress was supposed to be the
came of this desperate at.

On Sunday morning, at six o'clock, the follow-
ing singular toot-race was decided, in Bedford-placei.
Bloomsbury, for 10 guinea, a ,Kie. The parties who
ran .tirst were, a Baker and Barber. • The furrner
engaged.to run the latter 00 yards, with his baiket
and tour quartern loaves at uis back.; at starting the
bets were considerably in favour or the. BUT her, but
his opponent soon overtook him, andkept,the lead
H the remainder 'of the distance. Considerable. sums

. were depending on this race, but the knowing ones
were much taken in. There w.as another race, the
sante.distance for the same sum,. which afforded bat
little annu3ernent.