Dear list, Here is the story as it was reported in The Times of London. There are three articles and I will send them separately. Margaret Conflagration at Soham (From the Cambridge Chronicle) About half-past 1 o’clock yesterday morning the town of Soham was again aroused by the dreadful cry of “Fire,” which commenced on the premises of Mrs. Peachey, widow, in Hall-street, and near the spot where two other fires have happened within the last fortnight. We have not time to state full particulars, having only now left the spot where the fire is still raging, althought somewhat abated. The following will give a brief sketch of the extent of this awful calamity :--13 houses have been burnt to the ground, namely the Globe public-house; the house at the back, in the occupation of W. King, shoemaker; the shop,&c., of Mr. R. Collen, wheelwright; the house, &c., of Mr. E. Munns, blacksmith; the house, shop and goods of Mr. Harvey, grocer and draper; the house, &c., of Mr. Hicks, carpenter; the whole of the extensive farming premises of Mr. E. Staples, together with a newly-erected mill of five stories; the house, &c., of Job Myson, wheelwright; the house and shop of Mrs. Horsley, blacksmith; the house, &c., of Robert Ginn, shoemaker; all the extensive premises and farm buildings (with the exception of the dwelling-house) of Mrs. John Malden; house and premises of Mrs. Sarah Peachey, Mr. John Pettit, &c. There can be no doubt but that this is a diabolical act of incendiarism, as it evidently broke out in various places at the same time. But for the active and persevering efforts of the inhabitants of the town generally, one end of the town must have been a complete ruin. The part of the town in which this awful calamity has occurred is that nearest Ely, and the scene presented to the traveller from that city upon his entrance is deplorable in the extreme. The first ruin he meets with is that of Mrs. Gawtrey’s premises. It may be remembered that there was a fire here on Sunday week, which was arrested before it had made very destructive progress. Many things that were saved were put into the barn; and on Sunday last a second fire occurred there, by which the barn and all that it contained were consumed, as well as the dwelling-house of Mr. Fenn, adjoining. The principal destruction is witnessed upon the premises of Mr. Staples, a farmer and large miller. Here stood one of the finest mills in the county; it was built ten years ago, and was five stories high. After burning some time the sails got set agoing, and the effect they produced was most peculiar and beautiful; they had the appearance of a gigantic firework. A large quantity of flour, &c., was destroyed in this mill. The value of the whole of the household articles belonging to the 13 houses which were saved is less than 200l., and of course many of these are materially injuried by rough handling, &c., as is invariably the case in fires. Amongst the singular occurrences upon the occasion was the removal of an old woman named Stedman, who had been bedridden for three months. She was carried out of harm’s way upon her bed by two surgeons. The fire was arrested at the Globe public-house, occupied by Mr. Norman Kidd, who deals in hay; one large stack was put up close to a tree; and the tree and stack being kept wet was the means of staying the flames. Beyond this there were many thatched houses, so that the destruction would in all likelihood have been much greater if there had caught fire. On the opposite side of the way the house of Mr. Stedman caught fire three times; but it was got out by means of wet blankets. And fortunate it was that this was so, for the chances are the destruction would otherwise have been double that which it now is. The supply of water was small, there was nothing but pumps, and these had been almost exhausted by the previous fires and the dry weather. An area of at least five acres has been laid waste, the buildings burnt down, and even the trees in the gardens and all the hedges burnt up. Of course it is impossible to estimate accurately the amont of damage done by this shocking occurrence, but we apprehend it cannot be less than 5,000l., nearly the whole of which is insured in the Suffolk, and some in the Norwich Union-office. The vicar (Mr. Tasker), the Rev. Mr. Bull, Mr. Dobede, and the principal inhabitants, were very active and useful in their endeavours to stay the progress of the flames; and, with honour be it said, many ladies, seeing the lack of hands, formed into lines, and did all they could in the way of passing along the buckets of water. A large quantity of new hay and corn has been burnt, but all the live stock was saved, except a sow and two small pigs. The number of persons rendered homeless by this calamity is 79, and the condition of some of them is very deplorable. But they will be cared for by their neighbours in the best way that circumstances will allow. The Times, Jul. 6, 1846; pg. 3; Issue 19281; col F