The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-24 00:00:00

DREADFUL FIRES.

Yesterday morning, between the hours of six and
seven o'clock, the neighbourhood of the Kingsland-road
was visited with one of the most destructive fires that
have occurred in that locality for a considerable time
past. The scene of its operations was in Watts- build-
ings, near the Canal-bridge, in the Kingsland-road,
whereon was erected the extensive floorcloth and table-
cover manufactory belonging to Mr. Lawson. The dis-
covery was made at a few minutes before seven o'clock;
smoke, which some persons saw rising over the roof of
the factoiy, convinced them that some part of the pro.
perty was in flames. No time was therefore lost in rais-
ing the necessary alarm and calling for assistance.
Owing to the close proximity of the tenements in Wil-
mer-gardens and Northampton-street, the most lively
apprehensions were entertained for their safety, and
forthwith the inmates were aroused from their slumbers
and made sensible of the great danger to which their fur-
niture and dwellings were exposed. The unfortunate
occupants, some almost in a state of nudity, with their
children in their arms, rushed forth into the open road
and begged of the populace to render their assistance
in removing their goods to a place of safety. A great
many persons immediately went to their aid, but be-
fore the furniture could be rescued the flames fired nu-
merous houses belonging to the poor creatures. The
firemen were enabled, after considerable trouble and at
no little personal risk, to extinguish the flames; but al-
though they laboured without the least intermission, it
was not until nearly 9 o'clock that the fire was ex-
tinguished. The damage done is thus returned to the
West of England Fire-office by Mr. Connorton :—" No.
10, Watts-buildings, Kingsland-road,. Mr. Lawson, floor-
cloth and table• cover maker; the manufactory, including
frame-rooms, drying-rooms, and printing-houses, princi-
pally built of timber, burned down and contents con-
sumed; building and contents not insured. Wilmer's-
gardens, Nos. 1 to 10 inclusive, let out in tenements, all
damage,' by fire, water, &c.; the buildings are the pro-
perty of Mr. John Squires, of Oakley, in Leicestershire,
and it is unknown whether they are insured or not. Mr.
llandell, on the other side of the row; premises burned
down; insured in the Sun and Royal Exchange Fire-
offices. No. 22, Northampton-street; great damage to
premises by fire; not insured. Wilmer's-gardens (op-
posite side), Nos. 18, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37,
let out in tenemenis; all severely damaged by fire, water,
&c.; the furniture extensively damaged by hasty re-
moval, &c.; the occupiers not insured; buildings not
known whether insured or not."

Last night, between eight and nine o'clock, a fire,
which caused considerable alarm, broke out upon the pre-
mises belonging to Mr. Fowler, a carpenter and builder
carrying on business i❑ Paulin•street, Bermondsey. The
flames, when first perceived, were burning in the work-
shops and stores, which extended along either side of the
yard, and in a few minutes gained head so much that
they broke through the roof, and for some time
threatened disastrous consequences. Engines were
quickly in attendance, and there being a good supply of
water, the men succeeded in getting the flames extin-
guished, not, however, until considerable damage was
done to the premises and their contents. How the
disaster originated could not be ascertained during the
contusion which prevailed.

About an hour previously a fire was discovered in the
premises occupied by Mr. W. A. Coger, the agent to
Messrs. Parker and Co., boot merchants, No. 33, New-
gate-street. It began in the upper warehouse on the
first floor, but owing to the timely assistance of the
inmates and firemen from Farringdon-street brigade
station the flames were confined to the warehouse in
which they originated. A spark from a lighted candle
used by some carpenters at work in the warehouse, it is
presumed, was the cause of the outbreak.