The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-23 00:00:00

THE LATE AWFUL FIRE AT
GRAVESEND.—ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
GRAVESEND, FRIDAY, 11 P.M.— The calamitous fire
which occurred here yesterday has caused great excite-
ment in the district, and throughout the day the streets
have been thronged by the inhabitants of the neighbour-
ing villages, who flocked into the town to witness the
effects of the devouring element. The fire has not been
entirely subdued, but from the precautionary measures
which have been adopted, there is little danger of its
ravages extending. It is satisfactory to state that the
fears which were entertaiaed, that the lives of several
individuals had been lost, were unfounded. It has now
been ascertained, beyond doubt, that the inmates of all
the houses which have been destroyed escaped in safety.
It was a most fortunate circumstance that at the time
the fire broke out the wind was blowing from the south-
ward. There can be little doubt that, with a northerly
wind, the conflagration would have extended up the
Hih-street, and as the houses in that district are prin-
cipgally constructed of wood, it, is fearful to contemplate
the result.
Among the houses destroyed are the Privateer Inn
(Mr. Tisdale's) ; Mr. W. Edwards's, general dealer ;
Mr. Horton's, fishmonger (whose house was pulled down
to prevent the progress of the fire); Mr. Skillen's, green
grocer; Mr. H. Pettit's, eating-house ; Mr. Lambert's,
eating-house; the Rum Puncheon Tavern (known as
Curtis's Hotel); a warehouse called the " Old Brew-
house;" the Hole-in-the-Wall public-house; and the ale
and stout stores of Mr. Richard Jerry. No complete
statement of the destruction of property occasioned by
this lamentable event has yet been prepared.
It is due to the Rev. Mr. Joynes, the rector of
Gravesend, to state that, when the serious nature of the
conflagration was ascertained, the church and church-
yard were thrown open for the reception of the goods of
those persons whose property was placed in jeopardy,
and that Mr. Joynes, with great consideration, ordered
the church to be lighted up.
It is said that there was on the premises of Mr.
Troughton, ironmonger, no less than 2 cwt. of gun-
powder, which was fortunately removed before the flames
extended to the premises.
We understand that Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly (who
commanded the detachment of troops from Tilbury
Fort), the Mayor, Mr. Oakes, a magistrate, Mr. North,
the superintendent of police, and many of the respectable
inhabitants of the town, exerted themselves in the moat
indefatigable manner in directing the efforts of the fire-
men, the military, and the police.
The bank of Messrs. Hills, WCrae, and Co., in West-
street, was burnt down, but the deeds and other important
papers in the hands of the concern, as well as their books,
&c., were fortunately saved.
At the time this report left the fire was not entirely
extinguished. The engines were still playing upon the
upper story of the Pier Hotel, and occasionally a fitful
flame darted from the ruins of the destroyed houses.

OFFICIAL. REPORT OP THE DAMAGE.
Some idea may be formed of the magnitude of the fire
by the subjoined report of the engineers of the brigade
force (who were sent down at an early hour to ascertain
the list of the sufferers), made up to the latest hour, six
o'clock; but it is expected that there are many other
losses that have escaped their notice, in consequence of
the great excitement that prevails.
West-street (waterside) No. 74—Mr. Garratt, grocer
and tea-dealer; dwelling-house and shop destroyed,
warehouse and stores at the back fronting the river also
consumed. Mr. Garrett is insured in the Sun Fire-office
for 7001., which will not cover his loss by nearly 1,0004
Buildings insured in the Kent Office.
No. 75. Jointly occupied by Mrs. Cross, greengrocer,
and Mr. Hoff, draper; double house. Burnt down.
No. 73. Mr. Patties, eating-house keeper; dwelling-
house, shop, and waterside premises destroyed. Sup-
posed to be only partly insured.
No. 72. The Pope's Head Tavern, occupied by Mr.
Gould; front and back premises, with the spacious
dining-rooms facing the Thames, consumed. Buildings
and contents partly insured in the Kent Fire-office.
No. 71. Mr. Dixon, beer-shop keeper ; front and
waterside premises totally destroyed; supposed to be not
insured.
No. 70. Mr. Eversfield, sailmaker, warehouse and
stores consumed; not insured.
No. 69. Mr. Carlin, hatter and capmaker; shop, dwel-
ling-house, and back premises burnt down.
No. 68. Cooperage, and provision warehouses and
stores, belonging to Mr. Vallonce and others, destroyed:
partially insured in the County office. The loss here
estimated at 2,5004
No. 67. Beehive public .house, Mr. Perfit; burnt down.
No. 66. (Occupier's name no: known.) Fishmonger;
burnt down.
No 65. Talbot Tavern, slightly injured; all the
water-side premises (capable of dining 800 persons)
destroyed.
Opposite side of the street—The bankin4-house of
Messrs. Hills, M'Crae, and others, totally destroyed;
books, papers, and cash were saved. Insured in the Kent
Fire-office.
Dwelling-house and shop occupied by Mr. Taylor,
baker and ship biscuitmaker burnt down. Not insured.
Mr. Goodsall, hairdresser, house and shop destroyed.
Partly insured.
Shop and dwelling-house of Mr. Owen, chemist, to-
tally consumed.
Mr. Petitt, eating-house keeper, the entire premises
destroyed.
Mr. Beard, ship's butcher, shop and dwelling burnt
down.

Shop and dwelling of Mr. Edwards, grocer, burnt
down.
The premises of Mr. Skillen, greengrocer, consumed.
Dwelling and shop of Mr. G. Edwards, grocer, burnt
down.
Mr. George Rackstraw, baker, house and shop, de-
stroyed.
Shop and dwelling of Mr. Roxbury, fishmonger, con-
sumed.
Mr. Horton, fishmonger, the entire building burnt
down.
Sutter's-alley (on the south side of West-street)--
The dwellings Nos. 1,2, 3, and 4, partly gutted. The
inmates, poor labouring families, not insured.
New-court (on the same side of West-street)—The
houses Nos. 1,2, 3,4, 5,6, 7, and 8, the property of Mr.
C. Johnson, auctioneer, at Gravesend, burnt down. Oc-
cupied by poorer classes, none of whom are insured.
High-street—The Pier Hotel, at the north-east corner
of West-street, occupied by Mr. Lovel, destroyed.
Insured in the Phcenix-office.
No. 6. Mr. Roe, hatter and general outfitter, burnt
down.
No. 5. (Occupier's name not known.) Dwelling and
shop destroyed.
No. 4. Mr. Tuffnel, fishmonger, premises consumed.
Mr. Troughton, ironmonger and agent of the Allis.nee
Fire-office (the south-east corner of West-street),
partly destroyed.
There are a great number of other damages occa-
sioned by hasty removal of goods, furniture, &c. ; they,
however, are of not mnch amount. The total loss is
roughly estimated at between 20.0001. and 30,000/. ; the
chief bulk of which will fall on the Kent, County,
Phcenix, Sun, Alliance, Licensed Victuallers, and Royal
Exchange Insurance-offices.