The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

ALBION-MILLS,

Yesterday morning a dreadful fire broke out in the Albion-Mills on the Surrey side of Blackfriars bridge, which raged with so much fury, that in less than an hour the whole of that immense edifice with all its materials, and upwards of four thousand sacks of corn was entirely consumed!

It was low-water at the time when the fire was first discovered: and when the engines were collected, their assistance was ineffectual--for the flames burst out in so many different directions with such incredible fury, and intolerable heat, that it was impossible to approach on any side, till the roof and interior part of the building tumbling in, completed the general conflagration in a column of fire, so awfully grand, as to illuminate, for a time, the whole horizon!

The wind being easterly, the flames were so directed, as to break the greater part of the opposite windows by the intense heat. The ashes were carried in the same direction, and in such quantities as to cover the surface of St. James's Park and its vicinity. Some of the grain was found on the Western Road, at the distance of five miles, and, though nearly consumed, bearing still the original form of its granulation!

This accident is said to have been occasioned by some of the machinery being over-heated by friction: but we do not recollect seeing an axis which was not of metal in the whole of the building. We hope, however, to be enabled to assign the circumstances to any other cause, than the private malice to which it is generally attributed.
The damages occasioned by the fire at the Albion mills are estimated at 200,000l. independently of any delay in business, &c. The insurances made at the several offices are stated as not exceeding half that amount!