Dreadful In Edinburgh.
The Times, 1824-11-20T00:00:00

On Monday night, about 10 o'clock, a fire brolce out on the south side of the High-street, which for extent and ratpidity equalled, it it did -not surpass, the recent misfortune of the same nature wlhieh oceurred near the same spot. It originated, we understand, at ihe back part of an npper flat of a tenement at the end of the Old Assem- bly-close; and quickly penetrated to the front premises in that oart of the street. Before the engines, which' were brought forward as expeditiously as possible after the alarm was given, were able to comimence operations, the flames burst out with violence frem several windows on the third story. Their exertions were consequently of no effect; the devastating clemernt extended rapidly, and at twelve o'clock three extensive lands of six stories, comprehending at least a thirdofthatdivisionofthe Hiigh-street, were in flamnes from the lower story to the roof. The scene at thia moment was ter- rific. Eyery wildow ol' the burning buildings vomited flames, and the whole firmament was illuminated by flakes of fire. and red-hot slates falling in a thick shower. An irnmense crowd had assembled: and the general constemation was suddebly in. creased by the appearance of smoke and flame on the opposite side ot the street. Happily this proved to be only a chimney on fire, and soon ceased to excite alarm. About one o'clock, the conflagrationi, still advancing up the street, communicated to the roof of a fourtl land. The engines had hitherto been of very little service, but pipes having been carried into the upperstories of this lhguse, which joinl the Old Fish Market.close, grCat exer- tions were made to save it; but in vain. At the moment of going to press the work of-destruction stills proceeds: therefore we ean- not pretend to guess at the extent of the loss likely to be sus- tained. Among the premises destroyed are-llilnerem laboratory; Dnncan and (4relg's warehouse; Isbister's, grocer ; Rollo's, tobac. conist; Friar's, mealrmonger; Robinson's. spiyit-dealer; Couranet. office, &c. Many poor families residlng in the upper stories are rendered houseless by this disastrous event. It was truly affecting to- see them,with despairdepicted in theirfaceR, endeavouring to aave part of their furniture. A considerable quantity of moveable preperty was carried into the Royal Exchange. Every person whose premises weTe within the possiblebounds of the fire, lost no time in removing all their valuable property to a place of safety. On this, as on se- venrl former occasions of the kind, wvc raw little to commend in the manner in whieh the engines' were brought into play in the outset. For a considerable time, they merely served to tbrow away water on premises that were visibly doo,lred to destruction, instesa of direct- ing their attention to saving the adjoining houses. At the same time, it must be admitted, that in such tumult and confusion it is not easy to maintain regularity, or direct every man's exertions to the proper point. A strong part of the 72d Regiment repaired to the apot on the first alarm. Such of the military as were not employed in keeping back the crowds, were busilv occupied at the engines, or in assisting to remove goods; and we observed several of the officers partlicularly active in issUing orders, and giving effect to the arrange. ments maIne by the ciyil -power. Seven o'clock.-We have not yet heard of any lives being Lost, but three or four individuals have been dreadfully bruised, in conseuence of. the faUling of a wall in the 01 Assemablyclose. They were car- ried to the Royal lnfirmary. The fire still continues to burn with unabated fury; the high houses on both sides of Borrh wlek's-close, for a e9nsiderable vray down, being in flames.-Edinrburgh Observer. ADDITIONAI, PARTICULARS. (From an EveniniSg Paper.) Tlhe fire extended its ravages down Borthwick'#-close, on the side which disides that lane from the Old Fish Market-close, till it destroyed three lands of houses. One occupied by M1r. Thomson, bookbinaer, was oubsequently laid in ruins by the falling of a gable of a house on the opposite side of the elose. Ar. Thomson's premises had only recently been re-built, after being dlestroyed by fire about a year ago. On the west side of the Old Assembly all the houses arc destroyed for upwards of 100 yards sooth. This was a peculiarly populous part of the clty, and, perhaps, not less than 100 families are rendered houseless by this calamity. The highest of the souther most houses burnt was nine stories, and contained in the lower flat, the Old Assembly Hall. There maybe in all, about twelve houses completely in ruins. No lives are lost, as far as bas yet been ascertained. By four o'clock p. in., the tire scemed to be got under, and several engines were withdrawn. During last night the wind was motlerate, but about eleven this forenoon it began to blow a severe gale ftom soutlh-west. At half-past eleven smoke was discovered isxuing from the Tron chuich steeple-the. upper part of which was composed of wood, covered with lead. This waS at first supposed tor proceed from a piece of burnt wood, forced thither by the violence of the wind. In a few minutes, however, thc whole tower of the stceple was enveloped in flames, which burnt with a fury unex- ampled. In 40 minutes the belfry and weather-cock fell with a tre- mendous ctash. The clock then stopped; the bands pointing athalf- past twelve. Great exertions were novw made, bv which the inside of the church was saved, but two fine bells and a valuable steeple clock, as well as the whole Inside ofthe steeple, are completely (te. stroyel. The ehurch stands alone, and is distant about 500 feet caqt of the house wherein the fire originated, between which there are seven houses in a direct line uninjured; also the whole breadth of Blair-street. ESngines from Piere-hill-barracks, Leith Fort,antd the Castle, were wrought with much effect by a party of the Royal Dra- goon Artillerymien, and a detachment of the 72d Regiment. DREADFUL FIR _IN EDINBCRGIN.