Carlisle Patriot December 27th, 1844 Calamitous and Extensive Fire

Calamitous and Extensive Fire

Carlisle Patriot - December 27th, 1844

This morning, about two o'clock, a fire broke out  in the large workhouse of Mr. BECK, coach builder, immediately behind New Market  Street; the alarm was instantly given, and the police, with the fire engines,  hastened to the place, but the destruction element had obtained so extensive a  hold upon combustible materials in the building, and spread with such fearful  rapidity, that all efforts to arrest it's progress on that part of the premises,  were considered hopeless; and as soon as water could be procured, the engines  were directed to play upon the houses fronting into New Market Street, as the  wind from being in an easterly direction brought an immense quantity of sparks  into that quarter. Several Chimneys were on fire on both sides of the street,  and the most alarming apprehensions were entertained that a great number of the   dwelling houses would be involved in flames.       The utmost alarm was excited among the inhabitants;  females  were running and crying in great terror, and several of the houses  were emptied of their furniture. The wind, however, continuing moderate, the  progress of the fire in that direction was arrested; but it had blown a smart  breeze, it was evident that both sides of the street would inevitably have been  reduced to ashes.       In the mean time the fire continued to progress in  the other direction, and the whole of the workshops, store-rooms, show-room, and  other back premises, belonging to Mr. BECK, were soon involved in a universal  conflagration. By this time the alarm had spread extensively through the town,  and notwithstanding the early hour, large numbers had collected, willing to  render assistance, and great exertions were made in saving a number of the  coaches and other materials, from the fire.       The fire engines were also brought round into  English - street, and some effort was made to make them play upon the work  shops, from the entry between Mr. BECK's dwelling house, but this was soon found  to be of no avail; for such was the progress of the devouring element, that  almost as soon as the range of the work shops adjoining the dwelling house were  on fire, and before the flames began to issue from the roof, it was observed,  from the emission of the smoke, that the dwelling house had also caught  fire.       Every exertion was now made to save Mr. BECK's  household furniture, and other valuables in the dwelling house - the greater  part of which, we believe, were got out with little damage. The efforts of those  in care of the engines were then directed to save the house in English Street,  situate  to the west of Mr. BECK's, and in this they were fortunately  successful. None of the adjoining buildings except those belonging to Mr. BECK,  have been at all damaged by the fire, while the whole of his property is  entirely burned down.       Besides the heavy loss which he must necessarily  sustain, the misfortune will be rendered so much more calamitous from the number  of workmen that will be thrown out of employment at this inclement season. We  understand, however, that the property is, to some extent, insured.       Among those whose voluntary exertions seemed most  efficient, we observed Mr. BEVERIDGE, baker, Mr. GIBSON, cabinet-maker, and Mr.  BELL, joiner; a number of the recruiting party were also extremely active in  endeavouring to render assistance. The cause of the fire is not known.   -Dumfries Standard of Wednesday.

 

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