Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-12

One of the most remarkable fires which has
ever broken out in Sheffield England Is now
raging under 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 and Co. They let off large
portion of the premises to other persons in the
cutlery trade, and to Mr.. Wilson, glass
grinder; also supplying their tenants with
steam power. In connection with the engine 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 q careful in
vestigation. The cause of the subsistence, how
ever, was discovered early on Monday morning,
in most singular manner. Mr.. Holden, the
engineer in charge of the machinery, raked the
fires as usual on Saturday evening" but on ex-
amining the boilers some time afterward, he
found, to his aStoniShment, that the withdrawal
of the burning fuel had not had the usual re-
suit. The boiler was full of steam. Mr.. Mas
tin, builder, was sent for, and the result of an
examination made by him and Others was that
q layer of Shale, in connection with seam of
coal extending beneath the works and passing
Immediately below the boiler was found to be
on fire. A number of men were at once set at
work to remove the burning material, but 1t
was found that the fire was not confined to that
particular spot. There was every reason to be-
lieve that it extended considerable way on
each side, and to subdue it excavations of very.
extensive character-not only below the boiler
but underneath or near the foundation of the
manufactOry-wouldh have to be commenced
The excavators, at II 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 extended beyond the works, pas
sing underneath an adjoining dwelling house
occupied by Mr.. Holden, the engineer, and to
the cottages on the opposite side of Eyre street,
the inhabitants of which state that they have
observed peculiar exhalation from their eel
lars On Thursday morning the services of
Superintendent Pound of the corporation fire
brigade were called into requisitiOn, and he pro-
ceeded to the spot with hand engine, which,
however, could not be used to any purpose. The
fire con only be overcome by means OF the spade.
The removal of so large quantity of earth be-
meath the boiler shed and the mandatory,
must necessarily be attended with considerable
risk and danger, great care having to be taken
not TO leave the building without sufficient sup
port. To prevent the possibility of any acci-
dent of this kind, walls of brick are being
erected in suitable places to uphold the great
weight which must have rested upon the earth,
shale 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 for long period, possibly for some
years. The boiler, of course, cannot be used,
and the operations of the mandatory, at
which about 400 men are employed, have conse-
quently been brought to standstill.-ShetieM
Telegraph.