The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-09
A MYSTERIOUS FIRE.

The City of Shenield, ENGLAND, in Danger
from a Raging Fire Underncaih H--Alarm
Of the InhR biiants-sevcral Large Manu-.
fectsries Inmediately Threstened-The ORR
gis Of the Fire Unknows.
Prom the Snefield Telegraph June "a
Que of the most remarkable fires which has ever
broken out in Sheiield is now raging underneath
property OF considerable value almost IN the centre
of the town. The scene Of this singular occurrence
is Trinity Works Eyre street, in the occupation Of
Messrs. Andrews Brothers, who carry on business as
cutlery manufacturers and merchants, under the
title of Messrs. Butler Co. They let on large por-
ton OF the premises 10 other persons in the cutlery
trade, and TO Mr.. Wilson, glass grinder; also sup
plying their tenants with steam power. In cOnnec-
ton with the engine is an immense boiler thirty feet
in length. For some time past this boiler has been
observed 10 be gradually sinking, but this has not
gone ON 10 so serious an extent as to warrant care
iul investigation. The OF the subsistence, how
ever, was discovered early on Monday morning In a
most singular manner. MI. Holden, the engineer
in charge OF the machinery raked his fires as usual
on saturday evening, but on examining the boilers
some time aiterward he found, TO his establishment,
that the withdrawal OF the burning fuel had not had
the usual result. The boiler was full OF steam Mr..
Masun, builder was sent for, and the result OF an
examination made by him and others was that q
layer of shae IN connection with seam or coal ex-
tending beneath the works and passing Immediately
below The bot er was found to be fire. num-
Der OF men were at once set to work to remove the
burning material, but it was found that the fire
reason TO believe that 1t extended considerable
way each side ana TO subdue IL excavations OF o
very extensive character-nOt only below the
boiler, but underneath. near the foundations Of
rhe manufactOry-wOuid have to be commenced.
rhe eXcavators, at twelve O'Clock on thursday
night, were engaged In the cellar below that portion
OF the building rented by Mr. Wilson, and the result
OF Their labor was that quantity OF burning shale
was removed The seam of coal and shale extends
peyOnd The works, passing underneath an adjoining
dwelling house occupied by Mr.. Holden. the
engineer, ana 10 the cottages on the opposite side
OF Eyre street, the inhabitants OF which state That
cellars. On Thursday morning the services of
Superintendent Pound, Of the Corporation Fire
Brigade were called INTO requisiti0n, and he pro-
ceeded TO the spot with a hand engine, which,
however, could not be used to any purpose. The
fire can only be overcome by means OF the spade.
The removal OF so large quantity OF earth beneath
the boiler sued and the mandatory must neceS-
sarily be attended with considerable risk and dan
ger great having TO be taken not to leave the
building without sufficient support To prevent the
possibility of any accident OF this kind walls OF
prick beng erected In suitable places to uphold
the great weight which must have rested upon the
earth, snale and coal which nave been dug out.
gang OF men have been employed at the work night
ana day since Monday Tue origin of the fire IL at
present mystery. 1t must have been raging for a
long period, possibly for some years. The boiler, or
course, cannot he used, and the operations OF the
nanufac tory, at which about 400 men are employed,
have consequently been brought to standstl.