The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-27 00:00:00

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURN.

SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY.—Traffio return for the
week ending April 23, 1854 £2,998 2 1
Corresponding week last year 2,782 12 Oi

SERIOUS CONFLAGRATION IN TOTTENIIAM-COURT-
ROAD.—Last night, at a few minutes before 9 o'clock, a
fire, which at one time threatened the destruction of at
least a dozen large establishments, broke out in the
premises belonging to Mr. Thomas Tomseney, a furni-
ture-dealer, situate at 234, Tottenham-court-road. The
discovery was made by an officer of the E division of
police, but not until the fire had penetrated the skylight
and had risen to an alarming height, so as to threaten
every house near with destruction. The constable at
once sounded an alarm, and sent off for proper assist-
ance, and in the course of a few minutes Giraud, the
engineer of the London Brigade, attended with the
Wells-street engine, and was quickly followed by Flem-
ing with the Crown-street engines. Numerous other
engines of the London establishment, with Mr. Colf,
the foreman, and that of the West of England Office,
with Mr. Deputy Barrow, attended as soon as pos-
sible, and a good supply of water having been
immediately obtained, the firemen, under the direc-
tions of their superior officers, went to work in an
admirable manner; but in spite of their exertions
the destructive element continued to spread, and
finally that part of the property in which it begun
was enveloped in one tremendous sheet of flame, threaten-
ing the most disastrous results. By great perseverance,
however, on the part of the firemen, they succeeded in
getting the mastery over the flames before eleven o'clock,
but not until property valued at several hundred pounds
sterling had been consumed. Owing to the absence of
the owner of the premises, it was impossible to learn
whether or not the sufferer was insured, or how the dis-
aster commenced. A Mr. Brian and Mr. Harris rented
a portion of the premises ; but it is understood that
they received no material loss. The Royal Society's
fire-escapes were prompt in attendance ; but it is satis-
factory to state that their services were not required.
A crowd numbering from 12,000 to 14,000 persons were
present ; but owing to the admirable arrangements of
the police, under Mr. Superintendent Foxell, of the E
division, a space was kept clear in that great thorough-
fare for omnibuses and other vehicles to pass along. A
fire also happened yesterday afternoon in the Poultry,
City, but the damage done was so slight as not to de-
serve particularising.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN COLEMAN-STREET, ClTY.—Yes-
terday morning, shortly after six o'clock, the inhabi-
tants of Coleman-street, in the City, were greatly alarmed
in consequence of a fire of a serious character breaking
out in the extensive range of premises belonging to
Messrs. Charles Fauntleroy and Co., Berlin wool and
general dyers, carrying on business at No. 5, in the be-
fore-named thoroughfare. The discovery was made in
rather a remarkable manner. It appeared that as one
of the City police-constables was passing over Black-
friar's-bridge, his attention was directed to an unusual
volume of smoke rising high into the air. Feeling con-
vinced that a fire had broken out, he at once ran off to
the engine stations, and informed the Brigade authori-
ties of what he had seen. The engines of Whitecross-
street, Jeffrey-square, Watling-street, and Wellclose-
square promptly attended, as well as that of the West
of England Insurance Office, from the Waterloo-road
station. Upon the arrival of the firemen they found that
a storehouse behind the extensive front premises was en-
veloped flames. T' iames. ns building approximated to 50
in
feet in length, and contained a valuable stock of chemi-
cals and other articles used in the trade, such as dye-
woods of various descriptions, vitriol, American ashes,
&c., which added materially to the progress of the con-
flagration. Fortunately an immediate and also an
abundant supply of water was procured from the New
River Company's mains, and the firemen at once took ad-
vantage of the same by setting their engines to work,
and by attaching lengths of hose to the stand pipes on
the premises, also to a "dummy,' in the street; and
owing to the judicious directions of Mr. Superintendent
Braidwood, Mr. Fogo, and Mr. Connorton, a continuous
stream of the opposing element was scattered over the
conflagration, which happily had the effect of saving the
front premises ; but unfortunately, notwithstanding the
exertions of the firemen, the flames could not be
con-
quered until the building in which the disaster originated
was burned down, and the valuable contents consumed.b
As to the cause of the misfortune not the least infor-
mation could be obtained. Fortunately the firm was
insured in the Atlas and Royal Fire Offices. Notwith-
standing the early hour that the fire happened, a vast
crowd of spectators assembled on the ot and it re-
quired the services of a strong body of Ppolic'eto keep
them out of danger.
FATAL ACCIDENT TO A CLERGYMAN.—A shocking
accident occurred at Gloucester on Tuesday, which has,
unfortunately, terminated fatally. The Rev. Mr. Clax-
son, vicar of Sandhurst, was driving through the streets
of Gioucester, on his way to his church, about three
miles out of the city, having an engagement to marry a
couple at 11 o'clock, when the horse, in proceeding down
Northgate-street, ran away, and jerked the servant who
was driving, out of the carriage. The rev. gentleman
having no control over the animal, and being alarmed at
the speed at which he was travelling, attempted to get
out of the vehicle, and was thrown with great violence
against the kerbstone. lie was carried into a druggist's
shop, but was insensible. He lingered a few hours, and
expired on Tuesday night. The servant was only slightly
hurt