The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-10 00:00:00

FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE.

Last night, shortly after nine o'clock, a fire of a most
distressing character broke out upon the premises in the
occupation of Mr. John Sharp, a printer and bookseller,
carrying on business at 30, King-street, St. George's,
Southwark.
It appears that Mr. Sharp has lately been engaged in
manufacturing fireworks, and some of the combustible
matter must have exploded, occasioning a terrible dis-
aster. The alarm was given by the front of the shop
being blown into the street with fearful violence, and at
the same time the interior was seen enveloped in flames.
Water was speedily procured, and thrown on the fire.
Mr. Sharp, who had left the place barely five minutes,
returned home, when his attention was attracted by hear-
ing violent screams proceeding from a back parlour. He
forced his way through the dense smoke, and found two
of his children almost suffocated. After considerable
trouble he succeded in getting them out, but not before
one was terribly injured. It was then believed that no
person had perished, and the engines of the Brigade and
the West of England Company coming up, the fire was
got under.
As soon as the shop could be entered, an examination
was made, and the body of a female was found beneath
the counter, life being quite extinct, which proved to be
the eldest daughter of the proprietor, who had remained
in the shop during her father's absence, and unfortunately
perishedby the explosion. Mr. Sharp is wholly uninsured.

FIRE IN THE BOROUGH.
Last night, shortly before eleven o'clock, a destructive
fire broke out upon the extensive premises of Mr. T.
Cowper, mercer and haberdasher, 144, High-street,
Borough. Flames were first perceived in the lower part
of the premises, which are of considerable extent. In a
very short time after the discovery of the outbreak the
fire assumed an aspect of a most alarming character, the
entire premises exhibiting one body of fire. Information
was received at the several stations, and in a very short
time an engine of the London Fire Establishment, and
theWatling-street engine with Mr .Braidwood, were upon
the spot, closely followed by others. The water from
the Southwark mains was fortunately plentiful, and in a
brief space of time several engines were got to work.
By dint of perseverance and unflinching determination,
and in the midst of great danger, the firemen continued
their efforts until the fire began to yield. Notwithstand-
ing their efforts, the house was gutted, and the whole of
the valuable stock and furniture completely destroyed.
How the parties on the premises escaped, or whether the
adjoing buildings were injured, could not in the excite-
ment be gleaned, nor could any information be obtained
as to whether the parties are insured.

DEPRESSED STATE OF THE FRINTING BUSINESS.—
The scarcity of employment which has prevailed for a
considerable portion of the present year amongst the
printers of the metropolis has scarcely ever been
equalled. During the last six months the compositors
of London have disbursed towards the relief of their
brethren out of work a sum exceeding 1,200/. Each
person has received 6s. a week, the number of recipients
ranging from 160 to 230. At this season of the year,
when the trade is generally good, the number out of
employ amounts to 210. A large proportion of this use-
ful body of men have families dependent on their labour.
The privations they must have undergone, and are still
enduring, need no comment. Unfortunately, too, there
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