The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-18 00:00:00

EXTENSIVE OONFLA&RATION.

A fire attended with a destruction 9f property valued
at several thousand pounds broke out sF—rtly after 5
o'clock p.m. on Saturday, and although upward of a
dozen engines had been actively throwing water upon
the flames, they were not entirely extinguished at 3
o'clock yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.
The scene of this misfortune was Lower North-street,
Knightsbridge, a narrow thoroughfare running out of
Sloane-street, in the direction of the Brompton-road.
The premises in which the fire commenced belonged to
Mr. Charles Arter, a timber-merchant and importer of
veneers and fancy mahogany. The property in question
stood on the north side of the road, and contained a
range of work-shops, several stores filled with timber,
while a great'number of stacks of deals in the open yard
mounted high above the housetops in the neighbourhood
clearly proving that unless the flames could be subdued
a fearful sacrifice of property must follow.

The brigades, on finding that there was not the least
chance of saving anything either in the workshops, the
covered stores, or piles of timber in Mr. Arter's open
yard, directed the branches from their several engines in
such directions that the water' discharged should fall
upon the surrounding habitations, which, happily, had
the desired effect of arresting the devouring element is

its progress.
The total amount of loss, or how the disaster was oc-
casioned, cannot at present be ascertained. Some idea
of the extent of property destroyed may be formed from
the subjoined official report, furnished by Mr. Superin-
tendent Braidwood

" Saturday, July 16, 1853.—A fire broke out at 515
p.m. in Lower North-street, Knightsbridge, which did the
following damage :
" Mr. Charles Arter, timber, veneer, and mahogany
merchant, in Lower North-street.—The workshops and
several stacks of deals, &c., under cover and in open yard,
destroyed, and contents in building on the opposite side
of the street damaged by fire and water. The cause of fire
unknown. Engines that attended-1 A, 28,5 C, four of
the parish, and that of the West of England Insurance-
office. The buildings and contents were insured in the
Star Fire-office.

" Mr. John Cuthbert, tallow-melter, in the same street.
—Contents and building damaged by water and removal,
and roof by breakage. Insurance unknown at present.
" 11fr. H. Bellringer, dealer in marine stores, No. 6, in
the same street.—Back part of house and contents de-
stroyed ; part of the roof off, and rest of house and contents
damaged by fire, water, and removal ; contents not in-
sured. Building unknown.
Mr. Hascombe (private), No. 5, in the same street.—
Back part of house consumed, the roof burnt off, and rest
of building greatly injured by fire, water, and removal.
Insurance not known.

Mr. Brown, confectioner, N04,5k in th 9 same street.—
The building partly destroyed, apt coy ants severely da-
maged by fire, water, and removal, Not insured for con-
tents.

" No. 3, in the same street, name of occupier unknown.
—Back front severely burnt, and remainder of building
and contents injured by water and removal. Insurance
unknown at present.
" Mr. Charles Walker, cowkeeper, in the same street.—
Part of the roof of lofts and cowhouses burnt off; contents
and buildings damaged' by fire, water, and removal. In-
surance unknown.

•" No. 14, Queen's-gardens.—Mr. C. Arter, counting-
houses and private dwelling. Similar damage to premises
and their contents. Insured in the Star Fire-office.

" No. 13, Queen's-gardens.—Mr. Toon (private) ; build-
ing and contents damaged by fire, water, &c. Building
insured in the Star-office • the contents uninsured.
" Nos. 8,9, 10, 11, and 12, in Queen's-gardens, let out
in tenements, the property of Mrs. Haines, Grove-place,
Brompton, and uninsured.—The five buildings greatly
damaged by fire, and contents by fire, water, and removal.
The gardens also destroyed.
"No. 12, Now-street.—Mr. P. Johnson ; back premises
and the roof seriously damaged by fire, and the contents in
front house by water and removal. Insurance not known.
"No. 13, in the same street.—Mr. James Caul, baker;
considerable damage to contents by water and removal ;
contents insured in the County Fire-office, and the build-
ing in the same office.

-4-‘ No. 20, Exeter-street.—Mrs. Mary Ayling, chandler.
Similar damage; not insured."

During yeaeiday afternoon several thousand persons
visited the still smouldering ruins, and a strong body of
the B division of police were required to keep them out
of danger.