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 town of
Dover hr many years, and which, at nearly midnight,
was still raging furiously. The damage already done, it
is feared, will amount to several thousand pounds ster-
ling, in addition to which a large number of persons will
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 an 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 conjunc-
ture an electric telegraph message was forwaarnded. tLondon, requesting the aid of the fire brigadet naews
en-
gines. Mr. Braidwood, upon receiptfrofm h
wordered r twoidg e -
roof
atdh e
station brigade a engines, i
tnhees
otherone
fro
omtliwe
aStoluinth:-.
street, to be sant to the London-
strong body of firemen. Upon the arrivalbridgoftheel7igtihneas
was in readiness, upon
at the terminus a special train
placed, and they at
ownhciec h
proceededt h e
to
o the
ed
scene firemen.rsof
cifleagration, which they
and twenty minutes after
reached in about two u
leaving London. By thtaht:tasimiemtphoessfiirbelehtaodtemllandeowtermriubelhe
furtherhavoc, and eve
wouldn textend.h.en
Under threkad,nidreethtioosneoefoMnnre.
cßterdaidjtohodth,
ethleocalwhoelnegfionrecse.
but at the time the last train left Dover
f(wrthoenmetettxoopwrwenso,s) 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 London-bridg terminus of the South-
Eastern Railway ; and from the fact of nearly the whole
extent of the works being on fire, O.- ere seems no chance
of getting it entirely extinguished until lade 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 partiallyl
insured.