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

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

CHATHAM, 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 in 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, and soon spread to the stacks and
surrounding buildings, including a large barn filled
with wheat, a valuable thrashing machine, and an
oast 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 made to
save them; they were brought to the door, but could
not be 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-
teen in number, were saved. They were re-
moved from their stables 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 were
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 depredations 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 b 3 heavy,
as the stacks were large ones. It is estimated at
about 4,0001. Whilst engaged in attempts to re-
duce the fire at Sharsted, the.engines were required to
suppress a tire 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
Mr. Lynch, fruiterer, together with the stock, was
also greatly damaged. This house is insured in the
Atlas—stock uninsured. The house N 0.56 is insured
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 morning a melancholy, and it is
feared fatal, case occurred to Mrs. Storey, of Bromley
street, St. George's-in-the-East. Mrs. Storey, who was
fast asleep when the fire was disc:.vered, was aroused
just time enough to prevent her being entirely consumed.
The bedding was burning around her, and while endea-
vouring to arrest the progress of the flames, she fell
down iu the room; by assistance she was rescued from
her perilous state, but so dreadfully burnt that htr life
is despaired of.
FEARFUL EXPLOSION OF A FIREWORK MANU-
FACTORY AT KENSINGTON.—Yesterday afternoon, about
lour o'clock, the town of Kensington was thrown into
great alarm by a fearful explosion of gunpowder. It
appears that for some time past a man named Jones bad
been in the habit of manufacturing fireworks upon a very
small scale, but within the last few days he had received
an order to prepare fireworkss to the extent of 501. for
one of the tea-gardens at Bayswater, where a ;a e was
to be given last evening, and it is supposed that the ac-
cident occurred while packing these combustibles. The
police were immediately upon the spot, and rendered
the most efficient assistance in extricating the unfortu-
nate inmates from beneath the ruins. The wife of the
man was discovered burned- in a most horrible manner,
and immediately conveyed to the hospital, where she lies
without the slightest chance of recovery, the flesh hang-
ing from many parts of her body. The man Jones is
also frightfully burnt about the face and arms, but no
serious apprehensions are entertained of his recovery.
The house in which the explosion took place, also the
one adjoining, are totally destroyed, and the fire extended
to some workshops in the rear, which are also burnt
down; and had it not been for the prompt attendance of
the firemen and the police the damage would have been
mech greater, from the very confined space where the
accident took place—a small court, named Market-
passage, situate immediately opposite Kensington Old
Church.

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EXCUR*SION TRIP TO THE ISLE OF WIG HT.—
Londouers, to the number of 2,000, or more, availed
themselves yesterday of the cheap excursion trip to the
ble of Wight, which, we are happy to say, turned out
to be entirely successful. They were conveyed, in two
long trains, from. the Waterloo station to Southampton,
where 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 board the boats, and the sky having
brightened up, they were enabled to enjoy 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 few places. Many were disap-
pointed at not being allowed to approach nearer Osborne
Houe than the outer gates, but this was in some degree
compensated for by their having an opportunity, for a
very trifling sum, to ascend the turret of an occupied
house in the vicinity, from which not only an excellent
view of Osborne, but of the whole island, could be ob-
tained. Unfortunately a heavy shower of rain fell about
four o'clock, which not only damped the spirits but ac-
tually wetted to the skin a considerable number who
were fur from places of shelter. The whole excursionists
got back by seven o'clock to Southampton, and, after
the lapse of an hour or more, returned to town, evi-
dently highly gratified.
ELANC HOLY OCCURRENCE AT LITTLEHAMPTON...--
Captain W. P. Hamilton, R.N., father of the Rev.
Adolphus Hamilton, arrived last week on a visit to his
friends at the above watering-place, and took up his
residence on the beach. He was missed by his family,
and search Leine. forthwith made, his body was disco-
vered iu a field adjacent to the town, but with no marks
of vioh-nce. It is surmised the unfortunate gentleman
expired in a fit of apoplexy.