The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-15 00:00:00

CONFLAGRATION AT DOVER.

The inhabitants of Dover and Folkestone were thrown
into a painful state of excitement yesterday evening in
consequence of the outbreak of one of the most tre-
mendous conflagrations that has occurred in the ton of
Dover for many years, and which, at nearly midnight,
was still raging furiously. The damage already done, it
li
is a
g, feared,in a
laerrgael
number
he
mo übsearn
ofd poundspereen a ster-
ling, to which
amonntt o several
be thrown out of employment.
The premises in which this terrible fire commenced
belonged to Messrs. Walker and Co., oil merchants and
seed crushers, situate under Dover cliffs, something
more than a quarter of a mile from the Dover terminus.
The discovery was made by one of the 60th Rifle
Brigade, who in passing the mill perceived smoke in
dense bodies hovering over the south-east side of the
premises. Assistance promptly arrived, and au attempt
was made to confine the flames to that part of the mills
then on fire, but unfortunately without the least success,
The fire was not discovered until a few minutes before
six o'clock, and in less than ten minutes after the clock
had chimed that hour the flames could be seen rising
several yards above the roof of the mill, and were roar-
ing with a noise resembling that produced by several
furnaces in full play.
The powerful engine belonging to the South-Eastern
Railway Company was immediately taken to the spot,
and was followed by two from the barracks, with another
belonging to the ill-fated factory. A strong muster of
the troops was also soon at the scene, together with
Superintendent Coram and a body of police. The whole
of the engines were at once set at work, but the confla-
gration continued to spread, and became visible for
miles.

About half-past six o'clock the scene became one of
fearful grandeur ; for the fire rose to a great altitude,
and at the same time myriads of sparks and large flakes
of burning material were drifted by the wind, and kept
falling upon the house-tops a considerable distance off,°
exposing them to imminent danger. At this conkp, -
ture an electric telegraph message was forwaaVento.
London, requesting the aid of the fire brigade d
gines. Mr. Braidwood, upon receiptf of
m the South,-
ordered two of the brigade engines, one
from
Watling-
street, station and the
.other . the news
arrival of the engines
strong body of firemen. Upon t:ireasin
readiness, upon
street, to be sent to the London-bridge terminus with a
, and they at
at the terminus a special train was
which they
once proceeded to the scene of
which the engines and firemen
and twenty minutes after
reached in about tv,o
that time the fire had made terrible
leaving London. By
was impossible to tell how much
havoc, and even then it conflagration,placed
further it would extend.
direction of Mr. Braidwood, the whole force
Under thenod
those connected with the local engines,
from town,wo work,
but at the time the last train left Dover
went to
(the express) the fire was not nearly subdued. The mill,
it should be stated, was situated at the end of Snares-
brook-street, under the cliffs, and was nearly half as
large as the Londou-bridg terminus of the South-
Eastern Railway ; and from the fact of nearly the whole
extent of the works being on fire, tl e -e seems no chance
of getting it entirely extinguished until Ime this (Mon-
day) morning for at frequent intervals, as the vats and
casks of oil become ignited, they explode, and the con-
tents run about like liquid fire.
The property destroyed already must be enormous,
but it is impossible to tell at present the exact amount.
A. telegraphic communication has been received at
London-bridge since the express train left Dover, to the
effect that the flames were extending.
It is understood that Messrs. Walker are partially
insured,