The Sun. — 1846-01-14 (London, England)

RIGBY WASON.  ALARMING TIRE. DIABOLICAL ATTEMPT TO BURN FOUR HOUSES. Last night, shortly after nine o'clock, the immediate vicinity of Camden-town was thrown into a state of feverish excitement by the simultaneous outbreak of no fewer than four separate fires, which there is every ground to conclude were the work of some vile incendiary.  From inquiries instituted on the spot, our reporter learned that at the time previously stated, three policeconstables of the S division were going their rounds past Hawley Fields, Camden-town, when one of them (No. 968) had his attention suddenly directed towards the western corner house of a pile of four newly-erected habitations, situate in the fields, by perceiving an unusual light therein. At first the officer imagined that the light was caused by some of the workmen drying the building, but the same increasing in strength, he hastened across the fields to examine tha place, when he found immense bodies of smoke pouring forth from the roof and windows, which at once satisfied him that the building was on fire. Without delay alarm was raised in the usual way, and the officer being quickly joined by other constables, an attempt was at once made to extinguish the flames by pouring buckets of water upon them. Whilst the constables, however, were passing the three other houses, they discovered, to their no small amazement, that the other corner house was also on fire at the back ; and in the course of a few seconds afterwards they found out that the remaining two houses were likewise in flames. A messenger was, therefore, dispatched in a cab to the several stations of fire-brigade, and also to the West of England office, with intelligence of the circumstance. In the mean time the police exerted themselves most manfully in endeavouring to stop the further ravages of the flames. Notwithstanding, however, the fire travelled with such fury as to speedily penetrate the roof of the !house in which the fire was first observed. Nothing daunted, they continued to labour without any intermission until Mr. Staples, the foreman of the London Brigade, arrived, with several engines of the establishment ; and to their exertions may be attributed the saving of a deal of property. The West of England engine, from the Waterlooroad, with the Company's firemen and Mr. Connorton, were taken to the scene with all possible expedition. The firemen, upon arriving, had to encounter great difficulties to get an engine near the burning houses. They having plenty of fire-buckets at hand, a line was formed by the men, and, by passing the water from one another, a vast stream was discharged at the buildings, which had the desired effect of getting the flames extinguished ; that, however, was not accom• plished until the fire had travelled throughout the firstnamed house, and severely burnt the remaining three, more especially the staircases and parlour floorings. From the fact of the four houses being on fire at the same time, not the least doubt remains that the fire was wilfully caused, but by whom is at present wrapped in mystery. The firemen, upon examining the premises after the fire was got out, found that the flames could not by any possibility have travelled from one house to the other without the aid of some one. They also found that the fire had commenced in every place about the staircase. The houses are said to be the property of Mr. Marshall, of Hentwick-plaCe, and it is at present unknown whether or not they are insured.  ROYAL HUMANE SOClETY.—Yesterday, at two o'clock, the half-yearly general court of the Royal Humane Society, of whieh her Majesty is the patroness, was held in the board-room of the society's offices, No. 3, Trafalgarsquare, square, to receive the last half-year's report. d the Cabbell presided. Mr. Charlwood, the secreta.l7ved,_3ll.rinea. report, which showed that there had beend received after paving donations, subscriptions, &c., 2,3461, 2s: 4-, all all expenses, there wsa37,al7b3almaporaoce ilndl have lost their lives but hand of 1431.:175. From persona had bathed in the Ser. June 1 to Oct. 17, 4 fpoernttihnee, exertions owrtiblochns of the society's men. There had been werewou 26 attempted suicide, and altogether 118 cases, of which 116 were recovery. had tbheeebeen distribution bestowed; during the year number There he r2e7 treated successfully. silver er me medals, and five votes of thanks on vellum, and 102 rewards Iterzhfoonunouraryd beyesin in money. The following received the silver medal :—Mr. R. Dew, mate of her Majesty's ship C u. o ingwood, for saving the life of the Hon. Mr. Walpole, while at Spithead, by jumping overboard after him ; Le Capitaine Lefour, who leaped off his vessel while off the coast of Normandy, to save the life of an English seaman; William Chapman, corporal of the 85th regiment, at Kingstown, who saved the lives of James Hobson and Hippolita, a man of colour, who were upset in a canoe off Fort Charlotte, Cape St. Vincent—(the Legislature of the island thodght so highly of the heroism of the act that they voted the sum of 201. to be paid to him for his gallant conduct ; the testimonials and decree of the Legislature were presented to the society by Lieutenant-Colonel F. Mansell, of the regiment) ; George Matthews, aged. fifteen years, for saving the life of a sailor who fell over the stern of the Princess Royal steamer ; Mr. Bernard, for saving the lives of two brothers who were bathing in the River Colne, Essex ; Mr. P. Dancourt, for saving John Scanlan, by taking him out of the River Lea at Cork; and W. Toat, of the Russian corvette Princess of Warsaw, for a like act