The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-12

from the Sheffield (Eng.) Telegraph, June

From the Sheffield tEng.) Telegraph, June s!.]
One of the most remarkable fires which
have ever broken out In Sheffield Is now
raging underneath property Of considera-
bic value almost In the centre Of the town.
The scene Of this singular occurrence Is
Trinity Works. Eyre street, IN the occupa-
ton OF Messra. Andrews Brothers, who
carry on business as cutlery manufacturers
and merchants, under the title Of Messrs.
Butler 81 Co. They let off large portion
of the premises to other persons in the cut
lery trade. and to MIR. Wilson, glass
grinder; also supplying their tenants with
steam power. In connection with the en-
CINE is an immense boiler, thirty feet in
length. For some time past this boiler has
been observed to be gradually sinking, but
this has not gone on to so serious an extent
as to warrant n careful investigation. The
cause Of the subsistence, however, was dis.
covered early on Monday morning in most
angular manner.
Mr.. Holden, the engineer in charge Of
the machinery, raked his fires as usual on
Saturday evaning, but on examining the
boilers sometime afterwards, he found, to
the burning fuel had not had the usual re-
suit. The boiler was full Of steam. MIR.
MaStin, builder, was sent for, and the re-
suit of an examination made by him and
others was that layer Of shale in connec-
ton with d seam of coal extending beneath
the works and passing Immediately below
the boiler was found to be on fire. a num-
Der Of men were at once set to work to re-
move the burning material, but it was found
that the fire was not confined to that
particular spot. There was every reason
to believe that it extended considerable
way on each side, and to subdue it eXcava-
tons of very extensive character-not
only below the boiler, but underneath, or
near the foundations of the mandatory
would have to be commenced. The eXca-
vatorS, at y O'Clock on Thursday night,
| were engaged in the cellar below that por-
| ton of the building rented by Mr.. Wilson,
and the result Of their labor was that q
quantity of burning shale was removed.
| The seam of coal and shale extends beyond
| the works, passing underneath and adJoln-
| ing the dwelling houSe occupied by MIR.
Holden, the engineer, and to the cottages
| on the opposite side Of Eyre street, the in
habitantS of which state that they have Oh
served peculiar exhalation from their Gel
larS.
On Thursday morning the services of SUI
perintendent Pound, Of the Corporation
Fire Brigade, were called into requisition,
| and he proceeded to the spot with hand.
engine, which, however, could not be used
l to any purpose. The ire can only DE over.
come by means of the spade. The removal
| of so large a quantity Of earth beneath the
| boiler-shed and the mandatory must ne.
cessarily be attended with considerable FISK
and danger, great care having to be taken
not to leave the building without suffi-
cient support. To prevent the posi-,
blity of any accident of this kind
walls of brick are being erected in
suitable places to uphold the great weight
which must have rested upon the earth,
sbale, and coal which have been dug out.
A gang Of men have been employed at the
work night and day since Monday. The
origin of the fire is at present mystery. 1t
must have been raging long period, pos.
sibly for some years. The boiler. Of course,
cannot be used, and the operations Of the
mandatory, at which about four hundred
men are employed, have consequently been
brought to a standstill.