The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-24 00:00:00

THE FIRE AT DOS-ABATE.

Saunders furnishes detailed particulars of this
calamitous fire, and adds that Mr. Mill does not
believe it to have been the work of an incendiary.
His neighbours do not, however, agree with him in
this opinion. The account runs thus :
" A fire of a most alarming nature, resulting in
the destruction of one of the most extensive and
model-like farmsteads in the county of Dublin, and
entailing considerable loss of property, took place
last night in the haggard of Mr. John Mill of the
townland of Corballis, parish of Donabate, within
half a mile (on the sea side) of the railway line be-
tween Dublin and Drogheda, and about a mile
southward of Donabate station. The residence of
Mr. Mill, with the capacious out-offices connected
with the haggard and farm, were built upon the
rising ground immediately adjoining the estuary
of Malahide, on the north side, where was also
erected a remarkably fine thrashing mill, worked
by steam. On my arrival at the haggard and
farm-yard to-day the scene which presented itself
was one of desolation and ruin—the spacious hag-
gard was thickly strewn over with the debris of
burned corn, in which were embedded, in every
directioa, numerous broken implements and frag-
ments of machinery ; while the bared and blackened
walls of the barn, engine-house, and other ranges
of out-offices too plainly indicated that the devour-
ing flameshadmade merciless ravages in and around
the buildings. The following particulars I have ga-
thered from Mr. Mill and other parties on the
ground, who had been eye-witnesses of the devas-
tation during the night.• It appears that about
eight o'clock on Friday night the first alarm was
given, when it was observed that a rick of hay
(about 30 tons), standing near the extreme north
end of the :haggard, and piles of straw which
covered mangel and potato pits in the same locality,
were in a blaze. Immediately afterwards the flames
spread with extraordinary and fearful rapidity to
some cow houses attached to the barn, thence to
the barn, which was in compartments, adjoining
which was the engine-house of the thrashing ma-
chine which also caught fire, and again communi-
cated with a splendid range of stonebuilt offices,
used for stall feeding, and measuring some 80 feet
in. length. Simultaneously with the burning, of
the outhouses the flames from the vast hay-rick
communicated also with the large stacks of wheat.
oats, barley, &c., which stood promiscuously around
and in less than an hour's time the entire—number-
ing nine stacks—were enveloped in one terrific
blaze, sufficient to strike ',the stoutest heart with
awe ; while thereflection of the flames illumined the
heavens for miles around. It was astonishing to ob.
serve with what fleetness the fire reached from the
north to the south extreme:of this large and well-
stocked haggard ; but this is accounted for from the
unusual aridity of corn, hay, and straw, farmers
having declared that for some 30 years past hag-
gard stacks have not been half so free from moisture,
or so parched up, as at present. The roofs and inte-
rior of the buildings were soon demolished, while
the corn stacks all appeared doomed to irretrievable
destruction, notwithstanding the most vigorous ex-
ertions on the part of each and all who attended to
render every assistance in their poNver, with a view
of saving the property, and arresting the progress
of the flames, The Donabate constabulary, under
Constable oclair, were soon on the ground.
There were also present the Swords police, under
the command of Sub-Inspector M. B. Kelly, and
Head.constable Johnston and party from Malahide
barracks. All the farmers in the neighbourhood,
with their assistants, also attended, including Mr.
Marks, of Beaverstown, Mr. Martin, of Balcarrick,
&c. The tenants and labourers of Mr. Chas. Cobbc,
j.p., D.L., of Newbridge-house' Donabate (the
proprie-or of the townland), with Mr. Wm. Don-
gall at their head, rendered valuable assistance, as
did also Mr. Mill himself, and every one connected
with the farm. I have been informed that there
was not to be seen an idle or unwilling person in
the haggard throughout, and that such were the
exertions of the police and peasantry—so intrepid
and reckless—that it is nothing short of providen-
tial that no accident occurred to life or limb. How-
ever, such was the mastery which the fire obtained,
that no appliances at their command could rescue
the buildings enumerated, and which are now laid
waste. They were supplied with water from a pump
in the farm-yard, and from the estuary close by. They
succeeded in saving the dwelling-house and stables,
and also a quantity of the corn. I understand that
one of the servant girls assisted like a heroine in
entering the cow-houses, and after disconnecting
the chains or ropes with which the cattle were

bound to their cribs, drove them out upon the farm
at an early stage of the fire, so that all the live
stock are saved. The barn, with its contents, is
burned, and the offices met a like fate. Everything
belonging to the steam-thrashing mill, except the
engine and boiler, shared the destruction. The tall
brick chimney, however, still nobly stands its
ground in the midst of the devastation. The fine
rick of hay, like the corn stacks, is in smouldering
ruins. Some mangel, potato, and turnip piles, are
partially burned. Mr. Mill estimates the damage
of all between .EI,OOO and £1,200 ; but it is a for-
tunate circumstance for him that the entire is in-
sured. He has no particular reason to suppose that
the bunting was the work of an incendiary, or the
result of malice. In consequence of the imperfect
manner in which his grain cropswere cut, he threat-
ened to introduce reaping machines on his farm at
eno time. He is spoken of here as amost generous
and;charitable person, and a good ncighbour,who has
ever shown a desire to make all about him comfort-
able. I understand that he has reared two orphan
families, after the death of their parents, until they
were able to earn a livelihood for themselves. He
appears to have the esteem of all classes in the dis-
trict. A very remarkable coincidence has been
spoken off here to-day, that two valuable farm-
steads have been burned down this week—one at
Corballis, in the county Meath (Mr. Taylor's), and
the present burning at Corballis, in the county of
Dublin. The farms are 16 miles apart."