The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-09-23 00:00:00

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SEUOAii

Standard Office, Ealf-past Ten o'clock, a.m.
MOST

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE,

WITH

SERIOUS LOSS OF LIFE.

We to say that a very destructive fire, attended
with moat extensive loss of life, probably from 30 to 40 in-
dividuals being killed, besides as many more wounded, broke
out this morning from half-past three to four o'clock. The
flames were first observed in the back part of an extensive
stack of warehouses, erected within the last two years, ad-
joining to which there are several cooperages and timber
yards. How the fire originated, it is utterly impossible to
ascertain in the confusion existing at the period we are
writing. Suffice it to say, that it spread with tremendous
rapidity, the power of the flames being heightened
by a strong wind which prevailed from the sea.
An alarm was given to the police station, and one after
another all the engines were sent to the spot under the com-
mand of Mr. Whitty and Mr. Hewitt. At that moment the
flames presented a dense mass of fire, which it seemed almost
hopeless to contend against, nevertheless the best disposition
was made of the engines for preventing the fire spreading to
the surrounding buildings. The prevailing wind, we regret
to say, prevented this desirable consummation ; for a cooper-
age immediately`adjoining caught fire. Shortly before six
o'clock the walls of the building where the fire originally
presented itself fell, and a most lamentable catastrophe then
occurred. Five firemen were instantly buried beneath the
ruins. Another portion of the walls fell at a subsequent
period, and another body of men, spectators as well as fire-
men, were buried beneath the burning materials. We have
heard that at this moment 30 people have lost their lives.
Mr. Whitty had a near escape of being killed, but under
the exact circumstances we could not learn. lie is much
scorched about the head and face. The other casualties are
numerous, and parties are constantly being carried into the
Northern Hospital. .

The Town-clerk, the chairman of the Watch Committee,
and other persons in authority are on the 'spot.
The warehouse where the fire originated contained salt-
petre and cotton. This is the most extenshe fire that has
occurred in Liverpool for the last 25 years.
The fire being so contiguous to the Borough Gaol, the heat
in the interior. as well as the exterior of the building, was
tremendous. The lead in front was in a state of fusion, and
the wind, being west-north-west, carried the burning parti-
cles directly over it. At the present moment Mr. Highton,
the governor, has stationed men upon the roofs, who are
constantly engaged in throwing water upon the parts where
ignition seems most to; be, apprehended. At the present
moment (10 o'clock), no fears are entertained for the safety
of the Prison.

On calling at the Northern Hospital at ten o'clock, we
were informed that the following was 'the state of the par-
ties who had been removed there :—John Martin and Luke
Smith, dead; one man dying ; Robert Black, skull exten-
sively fractured, .not 'expected to recover; Superintendent
Ridings, of the police, compound: fracture of the leg ; and
18 to 20 more or less- dangerously hurt. Many other cases
of a minor nature!have been sent to the hospital, and dis-
charged, after having their,hurts examined and dressed.