The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-11 00:00:00

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

CITATIIAIVI7 SEPT. 10.—On Sunday a fire broke
out on Sharsted Farm, a short distance from Chatham,
in the occupation of Mr. James Edwards, of Rochester,
whiCh proved most destructive iu its progress, and
when at its height illuminated the country around
for miles. The fire broke out about ten o'clock on
Saturday night in a stable occupied by the horses of
the fourth team, anti soon spread to the stacks and
surrounding buildings, including a large barn filled
With wheat, a valuable thrashing machine, and en
cast house which had been prepared for use for the
ensuing hopping, which Mr. Edwards purposed com-
mencing this day. The property destroyed, besides
the above, consisted of three ledges, five stables for
twenty horses, six stacks of wheat, three of peas, and
three of oats, all of this year's growth, together with
several agricultural implements. By great exertion
the
.granary and farmhouse were saved, as were the
waggons, ploughs, and many other useful articles.
The four horses in the stable were the fire originated
were burnt, notwithstanding every effort was node to
save 'them; they were brought to the door, but could
not he moved beyond it, the poor animals all
the while uttering the most piercing cries, which
were heard half-a•mile from the spot. It was
with the greatest difficulty the other horses, ,fif-
teeh in number, were saved. They were . re-
moved from their stab!es and turned into an ad-
joining field, but the crowd of persons hastening from-
Chatham alarmed the . animals, and they came
galloping back towards the flame, and were with
difficulty prevented from rushing into the midst of
them. The-engines of the Kent and Sun offices ..v-ere
brought to the spot, but the supply of water was but
scanty, the chief portion being obtained 'from a well
on, the premises, 190 feet deep. Fortunately • the
wind had shifted during the day, or nine other stacks
must inevitably have fallen a prey to the devouring
element. It is pleasing to find that the labourers in
the neighbourhood exerted themselves manfully in
their endeavours to save the property ' • but at the same
time it must be observed, that from Chatham a law-
less gang appeared bent on plunder, who laid their
hands on everything coming within their reach; they
entered the farmhouse also, and, after committing
some depredationi there, were, after great resistance,
driven thence by the farm servants, who used the butt
ends of their whips for the purpose of ejecting them.
It is not improbable that among these fellows were
several of the vagabonds brought hither by the races.
The cause of the fire is unexplained, but there
seems little doubt that it was accidental. Both
the buildings and farming stock are insured in
the Kent Fire-office. The loss will be heavy,
as the stacks were large ones. It is estimated at
about 4,000/. Whilst engaged in attempts to re-
duce the fire at- Sharsted, the engines were required to
suppress a fire which had broken out about twenty
minutes past two o'clock on Sunday morning, in the
house of Mr. Tucker, clothier and outfitter, No. 56,
High street, Chatham. This fire was first discovered
by the watchman, who with difficulty awoke the
family, consisting of Mr. Tucker, his wife, and child,
who at length escaped nearly in a state of nudity, the
house, stock, and furniture being entirely destroyed.
It was nearly two hours before the Sun and Dock-
yard engines arrived, at which time the adjoining
house, No 57, was entirely gutted, the fixtures and
several sacks of potatoes, belonging to Mr. Grigg,
fruiterer, who had just taken a lease of the premises,
being destroyed. The house No. 55, occupied by
MjLynch, fruiterer, together with the stock, was
also greatly datnaged. This house i; insured in•the
Atlas--stock uninsured. The house N 0.56 is i....sured
in the Sun. Unfortunately there was a short supply
of water, and the engine from the barracks did not
make its appearance.

FIRE AND PROBABLE Loss OF LlFE.—About two
o'clock yesterday mornieg a inflancholy, rnd it is
feared fatal, case occurred to Mrs. Storuy, of Bromley
street, Sr. Georges-in-the-Er t. Mrs. Storey, ;sho was
fast asleep when the fire was disc vexed, was aroused
just time enough to prevent her being entirely Consumed.
The bedding was burning around her, and while c ndea-
voaring to arrest the progress of the flaineF, the fell
down in the room; by assistance she was 'rescued from
her perilous state, but so dreadfully burnt that In r life
is despaired of._ _ _

FEARFUL EXPLOSION OF A FIREWORK MANU-
FACTORY AT KENSINGTON.—Yesterday afvritoon, about
four o'clock, the town of Kensington was thrown into
great alarm by a ferful explosion of gunpowder. It
appears that for some time pair a man named Jones had
been in the habit of manufacturing fireworks unon'a very
small scale, but within the last few days he hsetl received
an order to prepare firetvoi.lcss to the cxtent of fia for
one of the a gardens at Bayswatr.T, wilt re a o was
and it is supposed that the Se-
te be giron last vcnit ,g,
cident occurred while packing these cernhuseit,lce. The
polio? wvre immediately upon the spot, and rend„ ,red
the most effl..dent assistance in extticatin4 the unger:u-
ryve inmates ticm beneath the ruins. The wif of the
man was diicevercd burned in a must horrible manner,
and immediately conveyed to the hos[it;l, win re the lies
without the slightest chance of receveryrthe 112.3 h barg-
ing from many parts of her body. The man Jones is
also frightfully burnt about the face and arms, hut no
serious apprehensions are entertaaned of his rel,,very.
The house in which the explosion took place, also the
one aeljeining, are totally dettroyed, and the fire extended
to acme Workshops in the rear, which are ulso blunt
down; and had it not been for the prompr, attendmee of
the firemen and the police the darnßge wouli h.ve boa
much greater, from the very confined space where the
accident took place—a small court, named Market-
paisaie, situate, immediately opposite Kensington Old
Church.

ExcunsioN 'fair TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT.—
LOlldOuer2, to the numb:lr of 2,000, or more, availed
themselves yesterday of the ele::p excursion trip to the
I le of Wight, which, we. are happy to say, turned cut
to ba entirely successful. They were conveye.l, in two
long trains, frcm the Waterloo station to Southampton,
wbete three of the splendid boats of the South-Western
Company were in readiness to. take them across to
Cowes. Although a considerable quantity of rain fell
during the journey to Southampton, it ceased before the
company got on beard the boats, and the sky having
brightened up, they were enabled to enjey a very delightful
sail, and to gladden their eyes with a magnificent view of
the sea and the surrounding coast. On arriving at Cowes
they soon dispersed themselves over different parts of the
the island, which, for grandeur of scenery and salubrity
of air, is excelled by but :ew places. Many were disap-
pointed at not king allowed to approach nearer Osborne
House than the cuter gates, but this was in some degree
compens ited for by their having an opportunity, for a
very trifling sum, to ascend the turret of an occupied
house in the vicinity, from wLich not only an excellent
view of o,bortie, but of the whole island, c.-.uld be ob-
t,iue. Unfortunately a heavy shower of rain fell about
fear o'clock, which not only damped the spirits but ac-
tually wetted to the skin a considerable number who
were far from places of shelter. The whole excursionists
got htck by seven o'clock to Southampton, and, after
the lapse of an hour or more, returned to town, evi-
dently highly graticd.
EL,I2,CIICLY OCCURRENCE AT LITTLEHAMPION.--
Ceptain W. P. Hamilton, R.N., father of the Rev.
Adolphus Hamilton, arrived last wade on a visit to his
friends at the above watering place, and took up his
residence on the beach. lie was missed by his family,
avenrde•a in felt: o seareah
jf(airctft;ittoh
thmeadtoeN‘ but with no marks, his body was disco
of viohnce. It is surmised the un:briunate gentleman
expired in a fit of apoplexy, •