London Road Mill, Manchester

The 1849 O.S. map shows the mill immediately south of Piccadilly Mill.

Adshead's 1851 map identifies the mill as 'Lewis Williams Cotton Mill'. The Shipley Street Mill of Robert Ogden and Sons was to the south east, and the St. George's Foundry of Richard Ormerod and Sons was to the south west, across Minshull Street.

1858 'SERIOUS FIRE IN MANCHESTER.On Monday morning, just before three o'clock, R. Hodgson, a private watchman, a police-officer, and another man, simultaneously discovered, from various points, a fire prevailing in the large cotton spinning mill of Messrs. Lewis and Edward Williams, in Upton-street. When first seen it appeared to be in the third storey, and issuing from four windows, which vomited forth dense smoke and flame. The policeman, and another man, named Moody, started in separate cabs to the Police Yard, with the informetion. No sooner had they entered the yard than the sky was seen to be illuminated in the direction of the mill. Mr. Rose ordered the whole of the engines to be got out, and started with all promptitude with the first. On arriving, he found the end of the mill near Auburn-street a a mass of flame, which was issuing from every window, and a portion of the roof fell in ten minutes after that time. The fire spread with great rapidity down Upton-street to the new mill of the firm, which is only divided from the old one by a stone staircase. The smoke and heat in this staircase was almost over-powering, but as the burning rooms could be most favourably played upon from it, through the various doors, every effort was made to reader it available. The firemen did not flinch from the endeavour, and three of the storeys were thus reached, and as many jets played into them. Three jets were also brought into operation in Auburn-street, and directed into the burning mill, and also upon the large cotton mill of Messrs. Bazley and Vernon which, is only separated by a narrow street, and was in imminent danger. Three jets were also, brought into play in Upton-street, upon the burning mill, upon, the new mill, and upon that of Messrs. Bazley and Vernon. In Minshull-street, a number of cottages upon one end of the old mill, and also upon a small mill, four storeys high belonging to Messrs. Williams, and situate in the yard. There was a good supply of water in the mains, and the twelve jets poured upon the whole pile, burning or in danger, about six tons of water per minute. There was little chance, from the first, of saving the old mill, and the chief battle between the two elements lay in preventing the fire communicating with the new mill. This, however, was preserved, but the old mill, in the course of its demolition, committed sad destruction. It is eight storeys high, and has fifteen windows in its length. The wall facing, towards Minshull-street fell, and crushed into the four-storey mill, thus breaking a portion of it in, as well as setting it on fire. Several persons including three policemen narrowly escaped being buried in the ruins; one of them was struck by some falling material. The gasometer was smashed in the same way, and the gas blazed aloft in a fearful manner, and the heavens reflected the glare to a distance of several miles, while sparks glittered in the sky, more numerous than snow flakes in a violent snow storm. These alighting all around, increased the danger. Captain Palin, chief constable, was present early, with a large body of men, and they rendered great service to Mr. Rose, by keeping watch about the neighbouring premises, where these sparks might have become the source of other fires. They did ignite a travelling crane in a yard, about 100 yards distant, which had to be extinguished by a detachment of the fire brigade; and one part of the extensive warehouse of Thompson, M'Kay, and Co. caught fire, but it was soon extinguished. The new mill, which was saved (with the of exception of a small part of the roof), is eight storeys high and of great length; it is used for fine spinning; the old mill, which was totally destroyed, was used for spinning and carding; the small one was employed as a cotton store, for mixing, and also for spinning. Other portions of the wall of the old mill continued to fall at intervals up to seven o'clock in the morning, but at five o'clock further danger from the fire was over, and most of the brigade were withdrawn, a few jets being contisued to cool the burning ruins. All the surrounding property was saved. The origin of the fire has not been ascertained. The premises were closed at two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and the private watchman states that he passed through the room where the fire is supposed to have commenced, at seven o'clock on Sunday night, and discovered no indication of fire. The business carried on was fine spinning, and we understand that about 300 hands will be thrown out of employment; the preparatory stages were chiefly conducted in the old mill. It is feared that the total damage sustained will not be under £20,000. The old and new mill were insured in the Royal Exchange, the Liverpool and London, the Atlas, the Manchester, and the West of England offices.'

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