The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-28 00:00:00

GREAT FIRE NEAR ST. PAUL'S

CATHEDRAL.

Last evening, at a few minutes past five o'clock, a fire
of a very extensive character broke out in the premises
belonging to Messrs. Treacher and Cuthbert, wholesale
tallow-melters and candb--manufacturers, earrOrg on
business at No. 43, Paternoster-row. The property
in question has long been the dread of the inhabitants
residing near St. Paul'.
The premises, which have a considerable frontage in
the " Row," extended in depth some 60 or 70 feet. where

an exceedingly narrow space separated them from a
range of lofty workshops and warehouses, which had a
frontage in London-house-yard. It was in the last-
named buildings that the conflagration commenced, and
which, for the space of en hour, continued to rage with
the greatest impetuosity. The structure was five floors
high, including the basement, and was adjoined on one
side by the Gccsse and Gridiron Tavern, the property of
Mr. W. Making; whilst Hewitt's coffee and chop-house
flanked the other side. The Bose and Crown Tavern,
belonging to Mr. W. Davies, stood immediately opposite
the burning premises; the only separation between the
two was a sort of cart-way, probably 8 or 9 feet wide.
The refreshment-rooms of Mr. Inglis, the pastrycook, of
St. Paul's Churchyard, also extended to within a few feet
of the flames.

A copper of fat, from some cause not clearly ascer-
tained, but which is belie-ved to be a fracture in the
metal, took fire. All hands were immediately summoned
to the spot, and every endeavour made to smother the
flumes, but without success; they spiecaly rose terrifi-
cally, igniting the flouiring over the copper, and then
rushing in one immense sheet through the warehouses
till they reached the roof.
The various engines of the London brigade, parish,
and West of England Company were on the spot in the
course of a few minutes after the outbreak, and a most
copious supply of water was furnished by the New River
tiremains in the district. The fire, however, notwith-
standing be short time that had elapsed, assumed such
a threatening aspect that every building near seemed
doomed to destruction. Out of every window in the
spacious premises the flames were rolling, and reached
within a root of Mr. Inglis's refreshment-rooms, and the
Rose and Crown Tavern.

The engines, under the direction of Mr. Braidwood,
Mr. Colf, and Mr. Connorton, were placed in the most
commanding positions, some in Paternoster-row, and
others i❑ the Churchyard, whilst a number were set to
work from Ave Ji aria-lane. The first thing sought to
be accomplished was to throw up a stream of water
between the building on fire and those immediately op-
posite, which were smeking and cracking with the in-
tense heat. The firemen, in so doing, ran great risks,
but, fortunately, the expedient proved successful, and
the latter premises were saved from destruction entirely
through the exertions of the brigade.
It was part seven o'clock before it could be said that
the mastery over this fearful conflagration was obtained,
and not until the entire range of premises belonging to
the firm, in London-house-yard, were burnt completely
through, the front building severely damaged by re-
moval and break4ge, and several others in immediate
proximity, materially injured by fire, water, &c.
The crowd, at one period, numbered same thousands,
and it required the services of a strong body of police to
keep the spectators out of danger.