The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-02 00:00:00

DREADFUL CONFLAGRATION.

Thursday afternoon one of the most extensive confla-
grations that has occurred in the metropolis during the
past year broke out at Irongate-wharf, and, from the
combustible nature of the property, the whole of the ex-
tensive building and its contents, as well as two vessels,
the Busy, of Bridport, and the Hawk, of Montrose, were
consumed before the devouring elemont was subdued.
The less is stated at from 150,000/. to 200,0001.
Previous to entering into an account of the fire, it may
be well to describe the locality of the premises which
have been destroyed. The wharf was formerly known
as Downe's-wharf sad afterwards as the Irongate-wharf,
and is separated from the Tower by what are known as
the Irongate- stairs. The front faces the Thames, while
the back or entrance department is opposite the north
wall of the St. Katherine Docks. The eastern end is
bounded by a large public-house known as the Marquis
of Granby. The building was isolated, and extended
about 250 feet by a depth of about 50 feet, and latterly
has been the place of debarkation for goods brought by
vessels and steamers from the northern parts of Scotland,
as well as from the western coast and other parts of
England. The different departments of the warehouses
were well stccked with goods. and this circumstance no
doubt added greatly to the conflagration which it is our
painful duty to record. The wharf is the property of
the St. Katherine Dock Company, but was rented by
Mr. Coleman, who brought the entire trade, which was
formerly carried on at the Aberdeen wharf, to the above
establishment.

From the information obtained by the reporter, it ap-
pears that the numerous men employed at the wharf
were busily engaged in following their different occupa-
tions, when, about twenty minutes to four o'clock, a loud
and unusual report was heard at the eastern end of the
building, and before the cause could be ascertained a
thick heavy smoke was seen to rise from the lower parts
or cellars of the wharf. Within fire minutes after the
first discovery a flame burst forth, the alarm of fire was
instantly given, and a detachment of guards from the
Tower rendered prompt assistance. The engines from
St. Katherine Docks and the Tower were; speedily upon
the spot. It was also found necessary to get the floating
engine of the St. Katherine Docks. The flames had by
this period obtained such an ascendancy as to be visible
from London and Blackfriars-bridges, and the various
engines of the fire brigade, as well as the floats from
Rotherhithe and Southwark-bridge, at once proceeded
to the scene of destruction.
Within half an hour after the outbreak there were on
the spot the Wellclose-square, Jeffery-square, Watling-
street, Southwark-bridge-road, West of England, and
varringdon-street engines, as well as others from more
distant stations, independent of those belonging to the
Tower and docks, and the floats. Unfortunately it was
low water at the time, and there was some difficulty in
obtaining a supply of water for the engines. By the
time the engines were got into play the whole building
was in flames. It was evident that all attempts to save
the building and contents would be fruitless, and the
firemen directed their efforts to prevent the flames from
extending to the St. Katherine Docks.
While the work of destruction was thus going on on
shore, a still more fearful scene presented itself at the
water's edge. Alongside of the wharf were moored the
Busy, of Bridport, and the Hawk, of Montrose—the
former had arrived on Sunday with a general cargo, and
was nearly unloaded, while the Hawk had only come to
her moorings in the course of the day. Directly after
the alarm of fire had been given, both vessels were cut
away from their moorings, but it being low water, it was
found to be impossible to get them away. The Busy
speedily caught fire, and, although the floating engines
were immediately brought to play upon her she was
burnt, as the reporter understood, to the water's edge;
while the masts, spars, and upper part of the Hawk were
also consumed.

About five o'clock the fire had obtained its greatest
height. The rapidity with which the beams and joists
burned caused a good deal of alarm as to the safety of
the outer walls, and Mr. Braidwood gave directions to the
police to keep the place clear. Mr. Braidwood antici-
pated that the gable end, next to Iron-stairs, would fall
outwards; fortunately his fears were not realised, but
had he not given the orders we have mentioned life
would probably have been sacrificed.
We have already stated that the fire began at the east
or lower eid of the premises, and at this part a great
body of the devouring element was concentrated. About
50 feet from this point, Loader, the engineer of the
Farringdon-street engine, was stationed; and, while he
was engaged in holding the branch, the whole length of
the front to where he stood fell with a tremendous crash.
Loader, on hearing the wall crack, ran towards the wall
of the St. Katherine Docks, and he had scarcely got
there before the branch and hose were buried beneath
the burning mass.
During the period the fire was at its height, consider-
able alarm was manifested for the safety of the docks,
and several men were sent to the roofs of the sheds, who
kept pouring water down the walls, for the purpose of
keeping the brickwork cool, and being ably assisted by
the engines they succeeded in preventing any ignition
taking place. The same exertions were made with re-
gard to the Marquis of Granby public-house, which,
with the exception of a portion of the roof, was pre-
served from material injury.
Too much praise cannot be given to the police. 150
men, under the direction of Inspectors Harris and Valen-
tine, of the H and K divisions, were on the spot, and
rendered all the aid in their power, while a strong force
of the Thames police performed the same duty on the
water.

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained, nor
could we learn whether Mr. Coleman, and those to whom
he subletted, were insured. From the large quantity of
property in the warehouses, &c., the loss is stated to be
little short of 200,0001.

By eight o'clock all danger of the further progress of
the fire was at an end.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

ELEVEN o'cLocK.—A considerable body of fire still
remains amidst the immense heap of ruins, and the fire-
men are exposed to the greatest danger by the con.
tinual falling of the walls. The building, from end
to end, was exactly 212 feet, and nearly 70 feet wide.
At the time of the outbreak the several floors were
well stocked with goods of nearly every de-
scription. In the lower rooms were casks of tallow,
saltpetre, sulphur, oil, turpentine, and naphtha. The
tenant of the premises is Mr. Coleman, but although he is
insured wo understand that his loss will be considerable.
The building, belonging to the St. Katherine Docks
Company, is insured in several of the London offices.
The goods destroyed belonged to sundry persons, a
great number of whom hold what are termed floating
policies in the London and country fire-offices; but it is
to be feared that a vast quantity of property was not in-
sured. Although every inquiry has since been made,
no information that can be depended upon can yet be
obtained respecting the origin of the calamity. One of
the workmen, it seems, whilst passing along the eastern
end of the wharf, first discovered the flames, at which
time they were feeding upon a number of casks filled
with spirits. The first thing done after the alarm was
given, was to commence throwing the bales of cotton
goods, casks of spirits, and other large packages into the
street, and in the course of a few minutes the street was
literally covered with goods. Upon the arrival of
the engines of the London Brigade they were
unable to pass along to get to the water plug, until
the street was cleared. This took some time,
and meanwhile the fire travelled along the
various compartments of the front warehouses, so
that by the time the engines could be set to
work the principal portion of the place was completely
enveloped in flames. At one period the destruction of
the eastern portion of the Tower stores appeared quite
certain. Mr. Braidwood, however, had two or three of
the engines so stationed that the water could be scattered
over the walls, and by that means the fire was cut off in
that quarter. The only portion of the immense range of
premises left standing is the gable end nearest the
Tower, and even that is expected momentarily to fall.
The massive wall adjoining it has just fallen into the
road with a crash resembling a clap of thunder. For
some few minutes it was believed that three of the
firemen had perished, but upon calling over the roll they
were found uninjured. It appears that they had entered
the ruins to cool the further end but a minute or so
before the wall fell, and by that means escaped a hor-
rible death.