The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-16 00:00:00

DESTRUCTION OF A LARGE CHAPEL AND

SEVERAL OTHER BUILDINGS.

This morning (Saturday) a fire of a most alarming
and destructive character broke out in the town of Rich-
mond, Surrey, and laid in ruins a vast amount of pro-
perty, including the beautiful chapel belonging to the
Methodist Independent body. The flames commenced

at a few minutes before two o'clock, in the premises be-
longing to Mr. Andrews, a bread and biscuit baker,
Upper Hill-street, a short distance be 3 and the Castle
Inn. The inmates were arout.ed from their slumbers by
a loud cracking noise, and Mr. Andrews found huge
bodies of black smoke rolling up the staircase, which
nearly prostrated him. He immediately awoke his
household, consisting of his wife, two children, the
female servant, and two shopmen. By the time ho had
done so, however, the flames could be seen travelling
towards the upper portion of the house, so that the de-
struction of the whole of the residents appeared inevit-
able. By a desperate effort, however, they succeeded in
rushing through the fire, and reached the street. They
had scarcely done so when the whole building became
enveloped in [lam. s. The neighbours exerted them.
selves by throwing water upon the adjoining huuses,
and in removing furniture, during the time the 10c,.1
engines were being brought to the scene, uniortunately,
however, with little or no success; for the flames having
seised upon the premises of Mr. Webster, a cabinet-
maker, the whole of his manufactory was soon in a blaze.
Mr. Webster being at that time confined to his bed by
illness, was obliged to be carried down stairs by some of
the neighbours.

With as little delay as possible the engines belonging
to the town arrived, at which time an abundance of
water was flowing from the mains in the district. The
engines were forthwith set to work, but in spite of the
water thrown upon the fire it continued to spread both
right and left will anaLzing rapidity, so that very
speedily numerous other premises, used principally as
workshops, and standing behind the front houses, be-
came ignited; from thence the destructive element rushed
through the side windows of the Independent Chapel,
and in a very few minutes the organ and most of the
seats in the side aisle were blazing. Immediately ad-
joining this sacred edifice stood another of still greater
dimensions, belonging to the Roman Catholics, and had
it not been for the various expedients resorted to this
building would also have fallen a prey to the fire, About
threo o'clock the scene that presented itself was one of
fearful grandeur, for the flames were rising in immense
sheets from the premises belonging respectively to Mr.
Andrews, the baker, Mr. Webster, the cabinet-maker,
Mr. Luckett, a carver and gilder, as well as from every
window in the chspel and vestry-rooms. The light
thrown over the country for miles round caused hun-
dreds of parties from far distant neighbourhoods to flock
towards the spot, and at the same time gave information
of the disaster to the engine-keepers at Twickenham. Two
more engines from the last named place were dispatched
to the fire, but in spite of all present the flames con-
tinued to ascend, and it was found necessary to dispatch
a mounted express to London for additional aid. As
soon as the news arrived Mr. Henderson, the chief officer
of the D section of the brigade, with an engine and a
body of firemen, started for the scene of destruc-
tion, and Mr. Connorton followed him, kith the
West of England engine, and a body of men. The
moment they reached the spot all hands set to work, but
in spite of every exertion the flames could not be en-
tirely extinguished until nine o'clock, and not until the
whole of the premises above named were burnt down,
and serious damage done to many others adjoining.
Fortunately most of the sufferers were insured.

APOTHECARIBW HALL.—Nrilriell of gentlemen who
passed their examination in the science and practice of me-
dicine, and received certificates to practise, on Thursday,
August 14 :—John HenrE.cook, London ; Arthur &aside,
wawn-orsot, chelozi walutin Gorp Duot,