About twelve o'clock on Friday night last, the most destructive conflagration that ever was witnessed in this village occurred at the Longsight Silk Mill, five storeys high, belonging to Mr. T. N. Makin, and situated on the easterly side of the Manchester and Buxton Turnpike Road. Immediately on the discovery of the fire, information was conveyed to Manchester and Stockport, and the fire brigades of both towns, under the direction of Superintendents Tozser and Partington, arrived t the spot with great promptitude, and got their respective engines to work as quickly as possible, an abundant supply of water being obtained from the mains, and also from a neighbouring brook. A detachment of the Rusholme Police Brigade, and the Broughton Volunteer Brigade, attracted by the lurid flame, also hasted to the spot, and rendered valuable assistance. The fierceness of the flames, (which illuminated the surrounding houses with a radiance equal to that of the meridian sun,) soon convinced the chiefs that the edifice was doomed, and their efforts were then directed to the preservation of the warehouses, offices and outbuildings, in which the books and other property belonging to the concern were stored, as well as to protect the cottages adjoining, the inmates of which were in such a state of alarm, that they packed up their furniture and effects ready for immediate removal, should the flames seize upon their dwellings. In the stable were several horses and other cattle, which were fortunately thought about and liberated in due time, but it was reported that a valuable dog perished in the flames. The firemen laboured diligently for three hours, by which time the mill was completely gutted, the machinery falling at intervals with a noise like the booming of cannon. The proprietor of the mill arrived shortly after the fire commenced, only to remain a helpless spectator of the holocaust. A large quantity of raw silk, and the valuable machinery for its manufacture, alike fell a prey to the devouring elements, and it is estimated that the damage will amount to £15,000, partially covered by insurance in the North British and Guardian Fire Offices, the former being losses to the extent of £10,000 and the latter of £3,000. The destruction of the mill will be a severe loss to the village owing to the number of silk weavers thrown out of employment by the casualty. The cause of the fire is at present unknown.