The Sun.
London, England, 1836-08-30 00:00:00

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

This morning, between 2 and 3 o'clock, the premises of Mr.
Wilson, tea-dealer, at the foot of London Bridge, were disco-
vered to be on fire. Mr. Wilson, who slept in the second
floor, finding all egress impeded by the fire, which was then
rapidly ascending, was in consequence compelled to precipi-
tate himself out of the window, the effect of which was that
he had one arm broken, and a leg broken in two places. He
was taken to St. Thomas's Hospital. A report was in circu-
lation that the housekeeper of that unfortunate gentleman had
fallen a prey to the devouring element. In a few minutes after
the flames were seen several engines were on the spot, but they
had no power over the fire, which consumed the building of
Mr. Wilson, and communicated to the house next door, in the
occupation of Messrs. Edward Wigan and Co., hop-factors,
which also was entirely destroyed, together with the premises
of J. Goodchild, jun., and Co., glass-cutters, which was in
continuation. The loss of property on this side of the street
was severe; we are sorry to state that it was trifling with what
followed, in consequence of the extension of the fire to Fen-
ning's wharf, whose premises faced Mr. Wigan's, and which
it is well-known extend to the water-side, an immense stock
of goods being here deposited from different parts of the world
for home consumption. The firemen did their utmost to prevent
the progress of the flames, the heat arising from which
was so intense as to be felt at a considerable distance. But
notwithstanding their utmost exertions, the flames were car-
ried across the street and ignited the warehouse rooms through
the window in which was property of a very combustible na-
ture. The greatest fears were speedily excited, and we are
sorry to say, too truly realized. No power of water had any
effect, and the rapidity with which the fire advanced was awful.
In a short time they had reached the north side of the large
building, penetrating through the casement with great vio-
lence, and descending towards the goods on the wharf, off
which were several vessels laying, which were laden with
valuable cargoes ; but it fortunately being flood tide, they
were taken off. An immense number of engines were
at this time playing upon the burning materials, the
floating engine assisting in its operation, but without
much effect, and the whole pile, with the extensive
and valuable stock, was ultimately destroyed. The engines
eventually played upon the houses in the vicinity. The whole
ruins present, at the present moment, the most melancholy
appearance, occasionally portions of the massive walls falling.
There is no immediate calculation of the loss of property,
though it must be immense; and it is feared that the merchants
from whom the articles are consigned to Fenning's Wharf will
be considerable losers. We have not beard of any lives being
lost, except the housekeeper. A person named Fenn was in-
jured by a wall falling. Besides the above-named persons,
whose premises were injured, Messrs. Edgington, marquee
manufacturers; Mr. Gardnet ; and Messrs. Hcnly, Hewitt, and
Co., cheesemongers, have had property destroyed. Mr. Wil-
son's public-house, at the corner, escaped with but slight
damage. Great credit is due to both the City and Metropoli-
tan police.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

Unfortunately for full half an hour, no water, according to
Mr. Braidwood's statement, could be obtained from the mains
of the Southwark Company, which alone supplies that dis-
trict, and for two hours afterwards the supply was so deficient
that scarcely more than half the engines could be brought into
full play. Had the supply been abundant at the first, Mr.
Braidwood considers he could have prevented the fire extend-
ing beyond the premises of Messrs. Wilson and Co., in which
it commenced. At last, it was the efficient service rendered
by the floating engine, which as the tide came in was able to
advance nearer upon the burning masses, and to pour forth
immense streams of water thereon, which contributed mainly
to check the further progress of the flames. The greatest
exertions were made in every direction by the firemen
under the directions of Mr. Braidwood, and valuable co-opera-
tion was obtained from the bodies of police assembled around.
Many of the warehouses which caught fire had no residents,
and it was necessary to break them open, which as the fasten-
ings were of strength proportioned to the value of the property
within, and the risk to which it was exposed, caused a loss of
much valuable time. For full three hours the fire continued
to blaze most fiercely, casting a portentous glare of mingled
flames and smoke over the whole of the metropolis. In parti-
cular, only two wharfs distant from Fenning's Wharf, were
known to be large warehouses stored with saltpetre, turpen-
tine, and other fierce combustibles. Fortunately the flames
did not reach these, or the destruction might have been most
awful. By six o'clock in the morning the falling in of the
inner walls and roofs of many of the buildings, and the
exhaustion of the combustible materials, greatly aided the,
firemen in putting an end to the danger, which within
half an hour after may be said to have ceased, although'
the ruins still continue to burn fiercely, and are likely to do
so for some hours, notwithstanding that several of the engines
continue playing upon them. A request was sent at nine
o'clock this morning, by Mr. Braidwood, for the use of Mr.
Braithwaite's powerful steam fire engine to cool the ruins
with, but it seems it is out of repair.
Shortly after the alarm for the surrounding property had
ceased, Mr. Braidwood directed the inquiries of his engineers
and firemen, to ascertain, as well as amid the confusion could
be done, the names of the several sufferers, and the particulars
of their different damages. The following is the result of the
latest inquiries thus made :
In Duke-street, Southwark, which is the new street, that
by a circular sweep leads on an inclined plane from the bridge
'etc', the middle of Tooley-street, the damages are as under--
Messrs. Wilson, and Co., tea-dealers, premises wholly
burnt down, not known whether insured or not.
Mr. Wallis, the publican licensed under the New Beer Act,
whose case has made some noise, has his premises greatly da-
maged, particularly by water. Is insured in the Licensed
Victuallers' Society.
Messrs. Grant and Co., cheese-factors.—Back warehouse
burnt down. Insured for stock in the Alliance; building in
the Globe.
Mr. Edgington, sail-maker.—The roof damaged by fire, and
the stock, &c., by water and by removal; insured in Sun,
Hand in Hand, and Protector.
Mr. Burford, paper-hanger.—Much damage to the back
of the building and to the furniture; insurance not known.
Mr. Wigan, hop-merchant.—The warehouse burnt down ;
insured stock in the Protector and Guardian.
Mr. Pocock, shoe-maker.—Building damaged behind ; in-
sured in the Imperial.
Mr. Whiting, solicitor.—A similar damage; insured in
Guardian.
Mr. J. C. Rush, cheesefactor.—Warehouse burnt down ;
insured in Royal Exchange.
Mr. Franklin.—Private residence; not insured; a slight
damage.

IN
-Tooley-street.-111r. George King, No. 6, lead-mer•
chant.—Warehouse burnt down ; insured in Phoenix.
Mr. S. G. Bennett, No. 250, stack-cloth-maker.—Slight
damage ; not insured.

Mr: Williams, woolstapler.—Burnt down ; insured building
in Hand in Hand, stock in Imperial.
Mr. Goodchild, jun., glass-cutter.—Building severely
scorched ; insured in Sun for stock.
Mr. Cliff, cheesefactor.—Slight damage ; insurance un-
known.

Fenning and Co., the great wharfingers.—A total destruc-
tion ; insured, but particulars not known.
Messrs. Evans & Co., hop-merchants, Mr. Goodchild,
sen., and Meesrs. J. H. Scovill & Co., wharfiugers, have
the fronts of their respective buildings much scorched.