The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-02-21 00:00:00

THE GREAT FIRE AT THE
PANTECHNICON.

On Friday evening one of the largest and most de-
structive tires that has occurred in the metropolis for
many years Last broke out in the extensive block of
buildings known as the Pantechnicon, having • wide
frontage in hlotcomb-street, Belgrave-square, and
extending back to Lowndeinsouare, on the north and
to Lowndesoitreet and Kim:tenon street on the twat
and west respectively. The premises, which were of
considerable height throughout, occupied, it is said,
about two acres of ground, and were filled, as the
name would imply, with ll kinds of goods, many
of ti e utmost value. The strong rooms contained
jewels, pictures, and objects of art and virtti of priceless
worth, which had been deposited there for safe custody
until the London reason commenced, and it is stated
with authority that one of the many valuable collectiona
of Sir Richard Wallace, M.P.--retimated to be worth
no less than £l2o,ooo—Was among the property stored
there and has perished in the flames. In other parts
cf the building some hundreds of carriages and pianoa
were housed, together with furniture of every con-
ceivable kind, and belonging to • great many different
families. It is also said that Lord Cadogan is also a
very large loser. Some of the London bankers also
rented strong rooms for the deposit of deeds and plate
belonging to customers, and these have been destroyed
with the reet. The Ma quid of Westminster had until
recently a large quantity of furniture ath valuab'es
npon the premigre, but it was all removed a day or
two before the tire to Eaton-hall.

The fire broke out about half-past four in the after.
noon in the northern part of the premises. The flames
spread rapidly, audio spite of every effort of the work.
people to check its progress. A meseetger was im-
mectiately despatched to the chief district station of the
Metropolitan Fire brigade in Victoria-street, and the
alarm which he gave there was at once sent by
telegraph to the principal stations of the brigade. In
about twenty steam and manual engines and nearly
201) [Len, under the direction of Captain Shaw, were
on the spot and ready for work within • very short
time after the outbreak of the fire, and vans with
firemen were sent during the evening all over tee
metropolis (or more coals and extra hon. The water
supply at first was very short and the firemen
for a time had simply to look on at the fire without
being able, owing to the want of water, to render any
aid. In the meantime, as may be imagined, the flames
spread frono one block or compartment of furniture to
another, and the building from end to end was soon one
mass of flames. A strong detachment of I lie Gnu&
were sent to the scene, and by tneir indefatigable
exertions and courage a considerable quantity of
property, including about • hundred carriage., was
saved. The reflection of the fire was soon visible all
over the Metropolis, and it required a large staff of
police to keep back the crowd that quickly assembled.
From six o'clock until long past midnight the fire
raged with groat fury, and, as it was felt that
nothing could be done to save the Pantechnicon
Itself, the efforts of the firemen, &misted br the sal-
vage corps and the soldiers, were mainly directed to
prevent it spreading to the adjacent buildings. In this
they were only partially suocesehg, for many of the
houses In Motoomb-steeet and Lowndepelreet were

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