The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-19 00:00:00

EXTENSIVE FIRES IN LAMBETH AND

PECKHAM-(THIS DAY.)

This (Saturday) morning two series fires happened on
the Surrey side of the water, which were attended with
considerable destruction of property. One fire broke out
in the extensive hat factory of Messrs. Pritchard,
situate at 31, Stamford-street, Lambeth, next door to
the Stanley Arms Tavern. The flames were first dis-
covered by the watchman in charge of the property, at
which time they were raging in what is termed the
finishing-shop. The man immediately gave an alarm,
and then started off to the West of England engine sta-
tion, and gave information of the disaster to Mr. Con-
norton. The engine of the company was at once
dispatched to the spot, and was followed by several en-
gines of the London Brigade, under the direction of Mr.
Hendersoi, the foreman, and Mr. Hambleton. By the
time this powerful force arrived, although but a few
minutes had elapsed, the flames had made fearful havoc,
for they had extended from the finishing-shop to the
body-shop, and from thence to the tipping-off shop, so
that there seemed little chance of saving any part of the
extensive premises. Fortunately, an instant supply of
water was obtained from the mains of the Lambeth
Company, and the engines were worked with full vigour,
but the firemen were unable to get the fire subdued until
the whole of the buildings before alluded to were burned
out, and the stores likewise damaged. The total loss, it
is supposed, will exceed 1.0001. Fortunately, the firm
was insured in the Sun Fire-office. The origin of the
fire could not be gleaned.
The other fire took place in the private residence of
Mr. Wilkinson, 2, Park-place, Peckham. At the
time of the outbreak the inmates were in their beds
asleep. The smoke, however, awoke a young lady, who
found the fire raging in her bed-room. She aroused the
other inmates, and information was sent to town for the
engines, when those of the London Brigade and West of
England office attended. Owing to the exertions of the
police, strangers, and firemen, the fire was extinguished,
but not until it had gone through one side of the house,
which was a ituble one. Unfortunately, the sufferer
was not insured. A spark from a lighted candle, it is
thought, was the cause of the disaster. t

THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC JUNCTION COM-
PANY.—It
would appear that much confusion and no little
embarrassment has arisen, more particularly upon the
t.
Continent, from the assumption of the title of the " Atlan-
tic and Pacific Company" by a recently projected associa-
tion in this country—the same title having been held since
1841 by a committee of gentlemen combined to explore
and search out the best possible route. To the latter com-
pany concessions of a liberal, free, and unfettered character
have been granted,
ing a high sense of confidence upon the part of the executive
which give it powers of action indicat-
government of New Grenada. It is said that the attention
of our own Government has been drawn to these and other
important facts, and that inquiry of an:unbiassed character,
free from partisanship or self-interest, is about to be at
once instituted, and through which, it is to be hoped, suf-
ficient truth will be elicited to secure for the world the
very best means of overcoming the difficulties by which
this most important affair is surrounded.
EXTRAORDINARY FEAT OF 'WALKING.---Coates,
the veteran London pedestrian has arrived in Plymouth,
at the request of several officers of the garrison to attempt
the feat of walking 1,000 half miles in 1,000 successive
half hours, to be performed upon the same principle as
the renowned Barclay match. This affair arose from an
argument whether Coates, Sines, or any other person,
ever did exceed the 1,000 miles, in which the captain
could receive one hour and 30 minutes rest, whereas Coates
can only obtain 36 minutes at one time. Ho commences
the task on Tuesday afternoon next, at four o'clock, in the
paddock of the No-place Inn, Eland, Plymouth, under the
superintendence of two umpires, veteran soldiers, and a
referee chosen by himself, an inhabitant of Plymouth ; if
he succeeds he is to receive a purse of 50 sovereigns.—
Plymouth Journal.,