The Express.
London, England, 1863-05-08 00:00:00

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AND LOSs OP LIFE.

About half-past 10 o'clock last night a tire
treks oil on the premises of Yes. Head, a linendrsper, in
Blaokesoter-street, Drury-lane, which for some time named
great slam in the neighbourhood, owing to the con-
fined locality. The fire was first discovered by a passer-
by, who perceived volumes of smoke issuing from the
fanlight over the shop-door. He at once gave the alarm,
and • memenger was despatched for the engines. A
young women who was at the window on the second
floor, seeing her escape cut off, precipitated herself into the
street, and narrowly escaped with her life, her fall being
fortunately broken by the Atop blind. She, however, re-
ceived several severe out' about her head, and was conveyed
in an insensible state to King's College Hospital, where she
lies in a dangerous state. The fire had by this time obtained
complete possession of the premises, which were totally
destroyed, with the whole of the stock and furniture. The
adjoining houses were much damaged, but were saved from
total destruction by the exertions of the firemen. The cause
of the fire is unknown.

LATEST PARTICULARS. —(THIS DAY.)
01800765 T 07 TWO BODILS 111 THZ RUIN&
This fire has proved to be of • more serious character
than was at first anticipated. The find indication of a fire
was about a quarter•paat 1) o'clock, when it was supposed
everyone in the house was up and dressed ; but so rapid
did the flames progress that in the brief space of five
minutes flames in huge bodies shot forth from the windows
of ten moms, and also through the roof. Conductor Top-
sail, owing to the narrowness of the street, warn obliged to
plies his machine sideways, when he beard that • female
had previously jumped from the third floor, and had been
taken to the hospital. He then entered the northern
windows of the mooed floor, when he was met
by a huge sheet of flame, which drove him
beck. He then got on to the escape, and called to the
people Lelia" to haul the escape back, so that he might
try the other window, but he was spin met by the fire,
and was severely burned on his hands and face, co that he
was obliged to retreat, and let himself down by the ropes of
the machine. When he entered the second floor he was not
told that anyone was therein, sad he heard no one speak.
He reached the fire before an engine, and even before
a drop of water was drawn. So fierce was the fire that it
set the canvas of the machine in flames, and he was
obliged to borrow pails of water from the neighbours.
About hail-put three in the morning two of the
firemen discovered the body of a female, named Ann
Baal, aged 18 years, a shop-woman, in the second
floor ; and close by her aide, Mark Patteson, the shopmsn,
aged 23 years, both dreatully burnt. The remains
wore plaoed in shells and conveyed to the dead-
house of St. Clement Dame. The sad affair has met quite
• gloom over the neighbourhood. Had it not been for the
ser►ices rendered by the Lend steamer by Shand and Mason,
and the manual power engines, one half at least of the
houses in the street meat have been destroyed, for at one
time Os or seven houses were biasing.
Upon inquiry at the hospital it was ascertained that Mrs.
Head was progressing most favourably.
Captain Shaw in his official report describes the damage
done as follows :
No. 8, Blackmoor-street, Mr. E. Head, linendraper, a
house of ten rooms, nearly burned out and roof off ; Mm.
Head severely hurt by jumping out of window, and takes to
to the hospital. Mark Patteson, aged 23, supposed to be the
Amman, and Ann Roffell, la, shopwoman, both burned to
death.
No. 9, ditto, Mr. A. J. Wright, cheesemonger, upper
floor nearly burned out, and part of root off, lower part of
roof damaged by water, &c. Both parties insured in the
Bun Fire Office.
No. 7, ditto, Mr. F. Legptt, stationer, upper floor
severely damaged by fire, mod part of roof off, and the
lower part damaged by water, ha.
No. 18, opposite, Mr. J. G. Taylor, baker, front of house
damaged by fire. Insured in the Manchester Fire Office.
No. 19, Mr. J. Welch, surgeon, front of house severely
scorched. Insured in the Mercantile Office.
No. 20, Mr. J. Mackey, linen-draper, similar damage.
lasmsace not known.
Craven-yard, Mr. J. Pryoe, co wkeeper, aide windows of
dwelling-house burned out, roof of cowsheds damaged by
breakage, and stook by removal and water.