The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-06-09 00:00:00

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN LONDON.

A fire of a destructive nature occupied the attention
of the Fire Brigade in the East-end of London during
Saturday afternoon and evening. It originated a few
minutes before three o'clock at the Orchard Wharf
sheds. Blackwall, on property owned and occupied by
Mr. J. W. Cook, wharfinger. Flames were found to
be issuing from a large building of two floors, which
was usgd for storage, and within a very short time
from the discovery the very inflammable nature of the
contents had caused the flames to assume a very serious
aspect. An intimation of the occurrence was immedi.
ately conveyed to the Fire Brigade, and engines were
immediately dispatched from numerous stations to the
scene of the fire, and Captain Shaw, C. 8., proceeded
from Southwark in a hose van to direct the efforts of
the Brigade. It was soon seen that there was a heavy
task before the firemen, for the first building which
had caught was alight from end to end, and an
adjoining shed of one floor, which was some 70 feet by
30 in dimensions was also in a blaze. Within
half an hour from the first outbreak the Chief Super-
intendent of the Brigade had got to work six steamers
and a standpipe, and the floats from various parts of
the river having been ordered to the fire, steamed from
their moorings, and, taking up position as near the
outbreak as possible, got their powerful deliveries into
operation. Then the Dock officials had got a steamer
to work as well, and thus a very strong force had been
set to work without any delay. The roofs of the build.
ings, however, caught, and it was evident little could
be done to save any portion of this property. Atten-
tion was therefore turned to the adjoining premises,
and, although the roofs of the surrounding sheds suf-
fered damage from water and breakage, they were
prevented from actually taking fire.
During the progress of the fire a wall fell suddenly,
and three firemen, named respectively Hogwood,
Etherden, and Taylor, who Were all on the ladder
directing the deliveries, were thrown down with the
ladder, and were struck by the debris. Etherder re-
ceived the most serious injuries, and all three were re-
moved to the adjoining Poplar Hospital.

As regards the damage, Captain Shaw's report
mentions two buildings, one of one and two floors,
about 100 by 40 feet, and the other of one floor about
70 by 30, used for storing jute, hemp, and fibre, very
severely damaged by fire and roof off, and partly fallen
down (adjoining and communicating), roofs of shed
buildings adjoining and contents damaged by water
and breakage; and a corrugated iron building about
80 by 50 feet, damagel by breakage."

A fire of alarming proportions broke out at an early
hour on Monday morning on the premises of Messrs.
Griggs and Co., printers and photographers, Elm-
grove, Peckham, London, which resulted in the total
destruction of a large amount of property. The flames
were first observed just after one o'clock by a con-
stable, who at once alarmed the sleeping inhabitants
by sprinzing his rattle. The outbreak took place in
a workshop of light construction, communicating on
two aides with dwelling-houses, the property of the
firm, The inmates were quickly removed, taking
refuge in the houses of neighbours. The flames
spread so rapidly that little property could be
carried away ; and before the fire-engines ar-
rived the flames had covered a large area
extending forty yards along Hanover-street, by
twenty deep along Elm-grove. Toe house of the
proprietor was hopelessly involved, and the families
on each side were compelled to remove. It was close
upon two o'clock before the first jet was got to work,
and the whole neighbourhood was for a time in a state
of .painic. Eventually, four steamers and several
stand pipes were brought to bear, and the fire was got
under by three o'clock. The workshops were entirely
destroyed. A house occupied by two old people con-
nected with the firm was gutted, and an adjoining
villa in Hanover-street was severely burnt.