Star.
London, England, 1826-12-25 00:00:00

FIRES.

FATAL FIRE IN ST. GEORGE'S FIELDS.
Yesterday morning, about half past two o'clock,
an alarming fire broke out on the premises of Messrs.
Pickerton and James, oil and colourmen, St. George's
Circus, St. George's Fields, which was discovered by
some persons passing, and an instant alarm was given.
The flames shortly burst forth • with the greatest fury,
and the most serious apprehensions were entertained for
the safety of the inmates and surrounding neighbour.
hood, the stock containing a large quantity of combus-
tible materials. Happily, the family escaped without
injury, with the exception of two, the errand boy, Wm.
Chalfont, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Mary Wilton, who
slept on the second floor, and were prevented descend-
ing by the rapid progress of the devouring element.—
The former jumped out of the two-pair window, won-
derfully, without further hurt than a contusion of the
left arm ; the latter, unable to follow his example, sixty
years of age, remained behind, and was seen imploring
that succour none could give her, till the roof fell in,
and buried her in the ruins. The Surrey Theatre was
at one time in considerable danger, the fire having
communicated to the back part, but was extinguished
by the efforts of the firemen and several of the per-
formers, who had not left the house after a night re-
hearsal. Notwithstanding the arrival of the engines at
the earliest possible moment, no water was to be ob-
tained for upwards of half an hour. Owing to the
strong party walls of these newly built houses, the ca-
lamity was prevented extending beyond the house it
commenced at and consumed, save the walls, the pro.
prietors of which, we understand, were fully insured.—
How the fire originated no one knows. The body of
the unfortunate woman was found between two and
three o'clock yesterday afternoon, and conveyed in a
shell to the workhouse.

DESTURCTIVE FIRE AT PRESTON.
TROIS THE PRESTON CHRONICLE, DEC. 23.

This morning, about half past fiveo'clock, the ex-
tensive factory forming part of the estate of Mr. F.
Sleddon, in this town, was discovered to be on fire.--
There have been many conflicting accounts of the man-
ner in which the mischief commenced, but we have the
best authority for giving the following as the true origin
of the affair ;--A brazier employed in fixing some pipes
in one of the rooms, had just lighted some burners with
a candle, and was passing along, when he stumbled,
and the light coming in contact with a quantity of gas,
which it is supposed was issuing from the end of a pipe
insufficiently plugged, a peweriul blaze was created.--
The man endeavoured in vain to put out the hitt, and
before the general stop-cock could be closed, the flames
had extended too far to be arrested by ordinary means.
—The fire engines were brought to the spot with all
expedition ; but the fire having originated in one of the
upper stories, and there being no ladder by which the
firemen could ascend, some time was lost before they
could be brought to play upon the Eames; The factory
is of considerable length, and for gikater security
against accidents of this kind, there is a party wall to
cut off all communication between the north and south
ends. But when the roof of that division where the fire
commenced began to burn, there was a strong north
wind which blew the flames over the party wall, al-
though it was the regular height above the slates, and
communicated the mischief to the south end. The en-
gines, however, being now under proper management,
a considerable part of the property on this side was
preserved; but owing to the obstinate perverseness of
persons little skilled in these matters, and in defiance of
the remonstrances of Mr. W. Taylor, much of the ma-

china y was spoiled by being tom from the floors, at a
time when there was little danger of the fire reaching it.
—The steam.engine being at the opposite extremity of
the building to that where the fire broke out, will be
preserved without moth injury. The factory, with its
machinery, was offered for sale a few weeks ago under
a commission of bankruptcy, when 12,0001. were bid,
but it was bought in under a reserve by the assignees at
16,0001. The property was some time ago insured in
different offices to the extent of 19,0001. but has been
reduced within the year to about 12,0001.