The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-19 00:00:00

FIRES YESTERDAY.

At 20 minutes past two yesterday morning tl
inhabitant of Stepney were alarmed by seeing
immense sheet of flame rising high into the En
which induced them to believe that a fire had broke
out in the West India Dock warehouses. It howevl
was soon ascertained that the disaster had take
place on the premises belonging to Messrs. M.
Hurrell and Co., coopers, situated in the Horsefert
Branch-road, close to the Regent's Canal, at Lim'
house. The property covered a large space wherec
were erected the saw mills, steam-engine house, an
sundry other buildings, whilst the open yard wi
stacked with piles of timber. The discovery WI
made by one of the Thames police, by seeing ti
fire issuing from the windows of the steam sap
mills, a range of brick buildings about 40 feet ion
and 30 feet wide, fitted up with costly machiner:
and filled with timber of different sorts used in t'
trade. The constable at once sounded an alarm, an
sent off messengers in many directions to call tl
engines, but the great light in the air became a 1.1
more speedy means of intelligence than those pa'
ties sent as ay, and forthwith a general turn out
the brigade took place. The lower steam floato
engine, several hand engines, and two 1313
steamers, by Shand and Mason, were 1
the scene of danger in a comparatively 10
period, under the command of Captain Shaw, Fell
men I. Gerrard, Bridges, Maidman, and other
Lord Richard Grosvenor, M.P., also attended wit
Captain Shaw. Plenty of water having been 01
tallied from the mains of the East London Compaq
and also from the Regent's Canal, the hand engine
and steam engines were set to work in an admirabl
manner; but the fire had previously obtained to
firm a hold to be easily extinguished, for the 01
mills and the engine house were in a blaze, and a
fire was attacking with full vigour the piles of tin
ber in the open yard. The land steamers and ti
manual power engines at once set to work, 013
copious streams of water were so directed upon tb
flames as to meet them at each point, and thereb
prevent their further extension ; but the main bed.
of flame could not be extinguished until the 04
and engine house were nearly destroyed, and tb'
contents severely damaged by fire. The stock
the timber yard is also severely damaged by 61;.1
water, &c. The origin of the fire is unknown.
loss will fall upon the Hand-in-Hand, the Man
cheater, the Royal, and the Queen insurance °fife
Mr. Charles White, of the County Fire Office. ant
Mr. Langham, of the North British and Mercanii'
Offices, were early in attendance, and assisted a
firemen.

A fire also took place in Limehouse, on the pre
mises of Mr. R. C. Mansfield, No. 1, Exmouth-Placi
Catherine-street. The engines of the parish full
London Brigade quickly attended, and they per
set to work, but the firemen were unable to get t!'
flames extinguished until a serious amount "
damage was done. Insured in the Royal Exel3lll4
Fire Office. The origin of this fire is also unke":,
At an early hour in the morning another fir
broke out on the premises of Mr. W. Payne, 13%Ta
dresser and tobacconist, carrying on business all
1, Inverness-place, Plumstead. When discovered til`
inmates were in their beds asleep, but fortunetei,
the police succeeded in arousing them in tittle
allow of their making a safe retreat, but s
t;
however, before the flames were rushing 11 g
staircase. The engines from her Majesty's 000
quickly attended, and the hose reel having beet,
attached to the reservoir of the Kent Compaq'',
bountiful supply of water was thrown into the bur-il
ing building, but the fire could not be extinguillbe
until the lower part of the building was burneo
and the upper portion extensively damaged. 4thi
cause of this fire is also unknown. Fortunately
sufferer was insured in the Liverpool and Len'o
Fire Office.