The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-06-16 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGI-E OBSERVER'

THE EDGWARE ROAD FIRE.
FIREMEN CENSURED.

Dr. Danford Thomas concluded his inquiry on
Monday into the circumstances attending the deaths
of the six persons who lost their lives in the recent
fire in the Edgware-road. Captain Shaw admitted
the advisability of having more men in charge of
escapes by day as well as by night; but said that tho
number of firemen and stations in London should
first be doubled.

The evidence having been completed, after an hour
and a half's deliberation, the jury returned a verdict
"That the deceased came by their deaths through
misadventure," and added the following: "The jurors
are further of opinion that the fire originated in a
room in the basement of the premises in Queen-street,
where wood and waste material were kept, and was
occasioned by a lighted match being thrown down
on the floor by Ellen Walker after she had lighted
the gas in the room, and that it was an act of
great carelessness. The jury having also heard in
evidence that Henry William Holloway and Francis
Michael George, firemen, who had just left escape
duty at Connaught-place and South Audley-street, re-
fused to return to the scene of the fire when called
upon by several persons to do so, including a police-
constable, desire to record their opinion that these
firemen committed the grossest dereliction of duty,
and entirely failed to recognise the responsibilities of
their position, or to exercise the common instincts of
humanity which an alarm of fire would especially call
forth, and that they are deserving of the severest
censure and unworthy to remain members of a bri-
gade whose first duty is to render prompt and imme-
diate assistance in the saving of life from fire.
Further, evidence having been given with regard to
the premises in question that beyond a supply of
hand grenades there were no provisions against the
contingency of fire, or proper exits in the event of
such calamity happening, and the jury believing that
the majority of buildings in the metropolis are prac-
tically in the same condition would call the atten-
tion of all local authorities and the public generally
to the urgent necessity which exists for providing
and enforcing special regulations as shall secure to
the inmates of such estalishments ready means of
cscape In case of fire, and ample app.. li anr.e. for MC-
tinguishing the same; and, further, that all such
establishments should be inspected periodically. They
are also of opinion that, in the interests of the public
safety, inquests should be held in all cases of fire.
The jury having viewed the premises, and heard pro-
fessional evidence as to the construction and internal
arrangements of the various shops composing Messrs.
Garrould's premises, as altered and connected from
time to time with the sanction of the district surveyor,
desire to call the attention of the Metropolitan Board
of Works to the evidence given with a view to a
definite settlement of the law being obtained in re-
ference to certain clauses in the Metropolitan
-Building Acts, of which the correct interpreta-
tion appears doubtful. They would also desire to
call the attention of the Board to the advisability of
making such arrangements as will permit firemen to
be placed in charge of the fire-escapes by day as well
as by night. The jury are also of opinion that when
albo-carbon is stored in large quantities it should be
kept in an iron vessel specially constructed, apart
from combustible material. And, lastly, they desire
to commend the conduct of those who rendered
valuable aid in the rescue of some of the inmates
from the building, including the firemen and police,
and to especially mention the noble conduct of David
Buchanan and Mdlle. Chuard."

The suspended firemen, Holloway and George,
were then called in, and in accordance with the
verdict severely reprimanded by the Coroner, who, in
conclusion, expressed the hope that in any future
walk of life in which they might become engaged
they would exhibit a higher sense et uuyauu
humanity than they had shown as members of the
Fire Brigade."