The most destructive fire which has occurred for some time
in the metropolis, broke out about half-past six on Thursday morning, in the premises called Davis's Wharf, on the Thames, nearly opposite the 'rower. The flames were not got under till ten o'clock, notwith-tand- ing the copious supply of water, and the exertions of about 1,000 fire- men with their engines. The property destroyed consisted of Davis'4 Wbarf;and buildings occupied by Curling and Co., wharfingers ; the warehouse of Goulding and Co., granary-keepers; and three vessels lying to the wharf, which were fixed in the mud, and could not be got off,—namely, the Sally schooner, from Limerick, laden with potatoes, the Dream, a brig, laden with wheat for Cherbourg, the Victoria, brig, from Newfoundland, with oil and stores. The contents of Curling's warehouses were principally oil, turpentine, and naval stores. The conflagration was caused by the bursting of a cask of oil, set on fire by the flame of candles used by men at work in the warehouse ; and who were obliged to run out of the building to save their lives. The extent of the damage is variously estimated at from 120,0001. to 1.50,000/. The buildings were insured, but it is not known how much of the property deposited in them was covered by "floating policies."
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