The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-27 00:00:00

GREAT FIRE IN LIVERPOOL.

LIVERPOOL, Thursday.—Shortly before noon to-day a
most extensive fire, which probably will be attended with
considerable loss, broke out in four very large warehouses
situated in Lancelot's Hey, and in the midst of a dee se'y
populated neighbourhood. When the announcem eat
was made of the existence of the fire in the locality
above-named, much alarm was felt by the inhabitants as
to the result, in consequence of there being a great
quantity of East and West India produce in the build-
ings. The whole of the property belongs to Mr. Moly-
neux, and is situated opposite Fazackerly and another
street. It was well known that there were vaults under-
neath the cellars, in which large quactities of spirits
were in bond, and above the vaults were numbers of
spirits of turpentine, spirits of tar, rosin, &c., and this
knowledge added considerably to the opinions entertained
as to the destructive results of the conflagration. The
cellars in these warehouses had each communication with
the other, and in one of them it was reported upwards of
100 barrels of turpentine was deposited, besides saltpetre
&c. Above these cellars, to the extent of six stories, were
cotton, hemp, &c., which, with the other combustibles
spoken of, belonged to Messrs. F. Campbell and Co.,
Mr. Hearne, and Messrs. Stolterfoht and Co. The
spirits belonged to Mr. Hearne. The premises were
what is termed certified warehouses, i. e., they were ex-
ternally fire-proof, and as yet it is a mystery as regards
the origin of the fire. However, it is certain that the
vaults and cellars were entered with a lamp, and on this
day it was noticed that the " bull's eye " of the lamp
was cracked through. It had been used during the morn-
ing, but after the discovery of the fire it was found in the
street. It was, however, rumoured that a lighted candle,
without any external protection, had been taken iota
the subterranean storehouses, and as a natural result,
an explosion took place. Be this as it may, the
fira ascended from the cellars, and as it came in
contact with the barrels of turpentine, &c., a loud
explosion followed, occasionally inducing the lookers-on
to retreat in the most precipitous manner. The intelli-
gence of the fire was scarcely promulgated before the
West of England engine and the corporate engines were
on the spot, together with a large body of policemen.
No order, however, seemed to prevail ; the approaches
to the warehouses were thronged with idle and indolent
people, undesirous of rendering any assistance, and if it
bad not been for the timely arrival of the mayor, J. B.
Lloyd, Esq., that order and regularity which followed
his injunctions would have been unknown. The fire
ascended with great rapidity, and the Mayor gave direct
instructions for the clearance of the avenues, and being
promptly obeyed, the firemen were enabled to do all that
human effort could do, namely, to pour in copious quan-
tities of water, for the density of the smoke, together
with its suffocating tendency, nullified even any ordi-
nary efforts to arrest the progress of the hidden fire.
The proprietors and the tenants of the adjoining ware-
houses speedily busied themselves in the employment of
large drays and other conveyances to remove the pro-
perty deposited in their warehouses, consisting of cotton,
sugar, sulphur, &c., and the celerity with which their
removal was accomplished was gratifying to a degree.
While all this was proceeding dense columns of smoke
obscured the sky, and, taking into consideration the
narrowness of Lanncelot's Hey, the corporation brigade
discharged the duties assigned to it with commendable
expedition and patience. At length, however, the lungs
were unable to receive the fumes which rose from the
mass then burning secretly, and for personal safety most
of those engaged in the hazardous occupation were
obliged to withdraw to some distance. Still the engines
played vigorously, but without much effect.

(Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
LIVERPOOL, Oct. 27, 10.30 ♦.3i —The conflagration
continued with unabated fury until five o'clock this
morning. Two warehouses are now burning, and there
is no knowing when the mischief will be stopped. The
damage already done is estimated at 200,0001. No lives
have yet been lost.

TIM PATRIOTIC FUND.—A communication has been
received from the secretary of the Patriotic Fund esta-
blished at Lloyd's during the last war, and which has
continued its duties down to the present time, annuities
to the amount of 1,6001. per annum being still paid by
it to the connexions of those who suffered at that period.
The total amount disbursed by the charity has been
nearly 600,0001., and it appears that, subject to the
annual charge of the remaining annuities, the committee
hold property consisting of 77,5001. Reduced Three per
Cents. and 3,5001. Long Annuities (the total value of
which, at present prices, is about 88,000/.), besides cer-
tain rights of nomination to the Royal Naval Asylum
and schools, which they purchased by contributions of
12,0001. These advantages they have preseried, and
held applicable to any future war ; and immediately on
the breaking out of hostilities with Russia the question
as to the best means of promptly increasing and apply-
ing them became a subject of attention. Wishing, how-
ever, not to adopt any measures that would clash with
those contemplated by the Commission of the Royal
Patriotic Fund just formed by the Government, they
addressed themselves to that body on the 13th instant,
with the view of ascertaining the best mode by which
their joint endeavours may be carried on. To this
application the secretary of the commission states him-
self unable at present to return any definite answer, but
it is to be presumed the entire matter will be taken into
full consideration at an early date.
The Institution of Civil Engineers have awarded the
following premiums :—A Telford medal to Nathaniel
Beardmore, for his "Description of the Navigation and
Drainage Wcrks recently executed on the Tidal Portion
of the River Lee." A Telford medal to Andrew Hen-
derson, for his paper "On the Speed and other Pro-
rerties of Ocean Steamers, and on the Measurement of
Ships for Tonnage." A Telford medal to John Pigott
Smith, for his paper "On Macadamised Roads for the
Streets of Towns." A Telford medal to Alfred Charles
Hobbs, for his paper " On the Principles and Construc-
tion of Locks." A Telford medal to James Yates, for
his paper "On the Means of attaining to Uniformity in
European Measures, Weights, and Coins." A council
premium of books, suitably bound and inscribed, to John
Thornhill Harrison, for his paper " On the Drainage of
the District South of the Thames." A council premium
of books, suitably bound and inscribed, to Daniel Kin-
near Clark, for his " Description of the Deep Sea Fish-
ing Steamer Enterprise, with Ruthven'a Propeller." A
council premium of
.books, suitably bound and inscribed,
to James Simpson, jun., for his paper " On the Preten-
tion of Smoke in Engine and other Furnaces." A
council premium of books, suitably bound and inscribed
to William Michael Peniston, for his paper "On the
Casualties of Tunnelling, with Examples." A. council
premium of books, suitably bound and inscribed, to
David Chadwick, for his paper " On Water Meters."
A subscription list has been opened at Constantinople
for the erection of a monument to the memory of
the unfortunate men who died at Sinope, and a consi-
derable sum has already been collected.