The Express.
London, England, 1858-03-30 00:00:00

THE INQUEST.-(THIS DAY.)

This morning Mr. Wakley, the coroner for Weet
Middlemen, opened an inquiry at the Fox Tavern, Woburn-
court, Bloomsbury, before a respectable jury of tradesmen

of the neighbourhood, touching the circumstances attending
the deaths of the several unfortunate persons who perished in
the late disastrous fire in Gilbert-street, Bloomsbury. The
names of the deceased persons are Richard Smith, aged 40 ;
Harriett, his wife, 41; Alfred, 16; Harriett, 13 ; Harry,
11; Walter, 9; Thomas, 7; Maria, 5 ; Mary Jesse, 2, sons
and daughters of the Out named; James Hedger, 63 ; Eliza,
his wife ; William, 20 ; and John, 13, their sons.
The Coroner said-1 intend sitting to-day until three o'clock,
and if the inquiry be not concluded by that time then I shall
adjourn until half-past ten or a quarter to eleven on Thurs-
day morning, on which day I shall propose to sit again until
three o'clock. If we do not conclude then I shall propose •
further adjournment for a week or ten days. It may be a
very brief inquiry or every protracted one, and I mention these
things now, in order that no gentleman may be bound
over to appear on a future day, to whom it may be a matter
of inconvenience to attend. If, therefore, any gentleman is
likely to have any engagement, or to be out of town, on
Thursday, or in the early part of next week, I should ad-
vise him at once to user, it, in order that ha may be ex-
cused from further attendance, because any gentleman who,
being bound over, does not attend, will be liable to a heavy
fine.

---
Mr. Cooper—lf the inquiry should last five or six weeks,
will the jury be bound over to attend ?
The Coroner—Certainly. The calamity is a very awful
one, and no time can be misspent which may be employed in
endeavouring to discover its cause, and to prevent the occur-
rence of such a disaster in future. The sight is one of the
moat awful spectacles I have ever witnessed. I may add
that I hope no gentleman will allow himself to be sworn on
the jury if he is at all connected with tho premises, either as
a proptietor or in any other way.
The jury were then sworn, and Mr. Adams, church-
warden of St. Gilee's-in-the-Fields, was chosen foreman.

The jury then proceeded to the parochial workhouse to
view the bodies, and afterwards examined the scene of the
calamity.
On the return of the jury after an abases of half an hour,
a juryman asked the coroner if in his experience he ever
saw such a horrid eight?
The Coroner said he certainly had not.
The juryman—And the work of an hour too. A great
building like Covent Garden Theatre was burnt down with-
out any lives bring lost. Here a miserable hovel took lies
and all these lives were lost.
The Coroner—l really deal understand it.
The following depositions were than taken :
Alfred Chliman—l reside at 6, Grahma-atreet, Welworth-
road, and am a porter. I am brother to Mrs. Smith, and
have seen bar body, that of her husband, and those of their
children. I have identified them. (The W4llllOl stated the
arms as given above.) My bratkew-in-law was • porter.
He was a poor Wearing men; ha and hie family
hays ban in greet dietress. He has never attempted
or threatened to commit suieklajp my knowledge; neither
W my deter. U. was at titnes,Tittr awry to say, given to
drink. I as not aware whether any children inn in a
burial dub. I should think ark I saw my sister
this day fortnight at my own haws. BM eon-
of ha house, saying it was nat
R ittslll, and Ma was looking for apartment• in Ho. 5,
Pied Bull-yard. I have been to the house in Gilberiestreet.
The family occupied twos rooms on the second door; the front
room and the back num. One opened into the other. The
gait from the two rooms was from the front room on to the
lending. There was no way out of the beck room but

through the front room. There was no back window
to the house whatever. There was a skylight over the
landing, but whether there were any means of escape by it
I cannot say. There were four rooms on each floor, two
Beat and two west._ _ _

light was there?
Witness—The light of the front room wu from the front
windows. The light of the back room came through a small
square window on the staircase, and ongoing upstairs you
were liable to put your foot through it. Mao was no ven-
tilation and no light, except what was borrowed from the
staircase. . _

A j When your sister said she should leave, what
rwondid she give for leaving?
Witness—She said the house was in a very dilapidated
state. The water came through in a disgraceful manner,
and caused the beck room to be ustlt to sleep in.
A jurymaa—Was there a drs-place in tho back room P
Witness—Yes. _ _

The witntiehere got rather excited, observing that he
wished to make a statement to the gentlemen of the preen is
lleTerence to the henna in which hie sister lost her life.

The Coroner said if he knew anything u to the unmet
the fire he bed better state it,

The witness continued—My elder complained to me of
their being a carpenter's shop under their dwelling, and said
considered it dangerous, and would get out of the place
as soon u she could.

Kjuryman did she not remove?
Witness—On meet of the number of her family persons
would not take her into apartments.
The jurymen—How long had the carpenter's shop been
carried on under the dwelling P
Witness—To the best of my belief something like three
months. I think it commenced last Christmas.

By the jury—My brother-in-law is; been in and out of
work, but not in constant work for some months peat. He
and hie family did not lease the house twelve months ago.
Fthe Coroner—The family lived there about six years.
za Berson-1 live at 10 Richard's-place, Heggerston.
lam married, end my husband's name is Samuel Sargon.
He Ins labourer. lem related to William Hedger. lam
the daughter of William and Eliza Hedger, and sister to
William and John. I have eeen the bodies, and identified three
of them, bat I could not tell whether what I saw
were the remains of my brother John. They lived at
No. 20, Gilbert-sheet. My father was a journeyman bis-
cuit-baker and confectioner. He lodged on the second floor,
and occupied two rooms. Neither my father nor my mother
ever attempted or threatened to commit suicide that lam
aware of. They were not in distress. Saw them alive last
Sunday week. They bad lived In this house altogether
about three years. They had • front room and • beck
room, one leading into the other. The front room had a
window to the street—the beck rooms window to the landing.
but no door to the landing.

By the jory—l visiTerMy father end mother once a week.
They were not in distress and could havo left the house
when they chose. My brother William once said to me I
wonder at father and mother living at the top of the house,
because if a fire were to occur in the shop below, we should
be all burnt to death." There was no ventilation to the
back room but what I have mentioned. The ground Mice
was a carpenter's shop, but whether any one lived In it I
don't know.

James George Fleming, engineer of the Chandoe-street
fire-engine station, said—l was at the fire with my engine
about fourth. I arrived there about half-past three o'clock.
After the fire was subdued I assisted in getting out the whole
of the bodice. We found the young man in the front wall,
and near the window, at the east end of the building on the
second floor. The floors had all fallen in before we found the
bodies. The bodies laron the flooring. The entire of the
flooring squatted. When I arrived there were two
branches playing on the front. I saw that it was
coming in and I said " ran—scamper," and had
no sooner done so than the whole fell in. After cooling the
ruins, I went in to see if any body was there and I found a
young loan u I have already stated near the east end. We
got him out and we found his father underneath:him. We
then cleared the rains further and found eight children under
them. We afterwards found Mr. and lire. Smith,'. they
were allatopofeachotherasit were. The bodies laywith their
heads downwards, and all we had to do was to take ,hold of
their feet and pull them up. We took out fourteen bodies
altogether. It was about a quarter or ten minutes past four
o'clock. There was no sign of life in any of them; they
were all quite dead. They had their night shirts on, which
were more or lees burnt. One boy had his rouses
partially on, and it appeared to us that be was in
the act of dressing when the fire took place.
The place was all in dames when I arrived. No one called
out, nor do I know where the fire commenced.

By the jury—We were celled by a stranger. The win-
dows were all gone when we reached the scene. The front
wall gave way in the maitre.
By the Coroner—We are supposed to be informed by the
police or strangers. We have no organisation to send signals
to any other station. We got information of this fire from a
stranger who was sent from the Crown-street station.
Another fireman—l got information from a policeman at
the Blackfriare station long before thu roan. The reflection
of the flames bad attracted the policeman's attention.
A juryman—Was there anything in the construction of
the joist@ that was dangerous in case of firs?
Witness—l think that if the walls had stood the Boors
would not have fallen. The engine was there at half-past 3.
Andrew Brown Sullivan, 34 E—l gave the first alarm
of the fire by springing my rattle. It wee about a quarter
or twenty mutes past 2 o'clock on Sunday morning.
The Coroner—The fire station is very near, and the fourth
engine only arrived at a quarter past three. Have yen any
doubt about the time? . .

Witness—No I heard a cry while standing at the
corner of Montague street and Great Russell-street. It
came from the house where the fire was. I believe it was No.
20, Gilbert-street. I ran thereat once,andjust as I turned round
Bury-street I saw the fire. On my going up to the house,
the flames were just coming out of the lower part of
the house. The fire was so strong that I could
not approach the door, and immediately sprang
my rattle. I then saw a man at a window above.
I don't know who it was. It was the window on the Brat
Boor front en the west side over the shop. and directly over
the window where the flames were arming. I heard
him my out. I told him to hold on, and no sooner
had I done so than some glass broke and I stooped my he
to prevent his falling on my face. I had scarcely done as
before I felt the young man fall upon me; he fell on my
head, and then on to the ground. I then took him up • he
warnot dead. I then saw another man at another window,
and called to him not to jump, but to remain But.
We got a ladder, and a stranger named Cowell
went up it and teemed the man and some children. There
were three children. A man and his wife got out safely.
No engine or fire escape had arrived at this time. I cannot
recollect at what time the first engine arrived. Policeman
68 E was the first to come to my resistance ; he came imme-
diately after me, and we both sprang our rattles together.
I requested him to go for the fire escape, but not
for the engines. I saw none of the second.floor windows
opened but that one the young man jumped from. I saw no
one at the other window. I could not see the second win-
dow for the flames. The the escape arrived about five
minutest after the last person had been got out dive. It
came before any engine, but I cannot my which engine Was
the first to arrive. _ .

By the jury—When I first saw the fire it was at the
Museum aide. I knocked at the door. Thee was foe
leaning from the door. lam not certain whether the door
was on fire when I went there or not ; I know a pert of it
was on fire. I cannot say who the constables were who got
the ladder. I did not attempt to go to the door. I could
not came it to be opened, because my attention was attracted
by the man at the window.
By the Coroner—l was there about two or three minutes
before the man jumped out. There tame a gush of glass,
and I leant my head down to escape it. Directly I did son
the young man jumped upon me. I was not annoyed by it.
When a fire happens, we have instructions to ge to the neat
Aro-station for an engine, and then to the nearest fire-
es
We have instructions to send to all the stations. Whsateit
firtrescape came the flames were so strong that it could not be
need. It was too high for the second floor windows. It was
put up at the next house, and the man in charge of it went
up to the roof.
By the Foreman—lt was about ten or twelve minutia
before the fire-escape arrived, after the first dist:ovary of the
fire. I saw no boy who gave information to the fire-mcape.
man. Ido not know a boy who lived in the lower part of
the house, and who was moat active in running to the aro-
escape and engine stations.
John Curie—l reside at No. 8, Bury-street, Bloomsbury,
and am • painter and glazier. I was at the fire on Sunday
morning; it was about twenty minutes or half-pat two
o'clock. I heard • person crying out "murder." The cry
and the sound of the pdiceman's rattle were simultaneous.
I was not in bed at the time. Had just returned
home, and had passed the end of Gilbert-street about five
minutes pest two o'clock. I ran directly I heard the alarm.
I saw two policemen there; one was springing hieratic., sad
the other was dose to the door of the house. I don't Walt
the door was then on fire, bat the flame was coming
through the shop window. It was not so great at
first as afterwards; but it was rather large for such a
small space. There was nothing but the Vaster of
the door-frame between the window and the door.
I did not perceive whether the door was open or not. I
heard several calls, but I can hardly say they were calls.
They sounded like screeching. We sow a hand and arm pat
out of the second floor window, but it did not remain loefir
and we saw it no more. The bottom sash of that window
WAS up.
The Rm. Mr. Long, the curate of Bloomsbury, here reel
and said—l wish to state, Mr. Coroner, that hiving MOM
the house, I am prepared to my that it was impossible far
any me to get out of the window where the arm appeared,
as there 1.111, boards all across it.
Whams continued—With thLaseistanos of a young ime
who was there I got a ladder. We saw Mr. Haatirood
at
the first floor window. This was three or four mica's, afire-
I got there. As Noon as I got there I ram the band Mt
out. The man had then fallen into the road. I wad lat
the ladder and Mr. Eastwood gave me a little girl Am
or ten years old. She was the find to owe
down the ladder. Then • woman cams down with
an infant in her right. Mr. Eastwood thus crawled in at the
window again, got a little boy out, and then came down ides'
self. He went backwards and forwards as cool and eels es
If he was at work. When all wore got out, and be cams
&lin WINK be appeared licked" as it were. He had Mr
played wonderful nerve before, but now he fell into my smut
and said, " Oh, ray dear boy, I haven't got • Mftbito
It was a quarter of an hour or 20 minutes beim war
Ike escape or any tire engine arrived. When Bactircedessin
down the last time I could have got the people oat Mae
second floor had the ladder been long enough. ilea
escape arrived too late, bat the man in chards of all

room ?

lag that be
thi Few la

Li; ',aim of

ri to me of
a, aad saki
)( the piaci

nil? minas
'• shop bee*

r like thne

I and oat al
la o.w. kW
who yo.
ril JOIN.

grr. Ima
ml Omer to
moiled three
rent I mit
bey heed et
semis bie-
nom& dm,
ye my modem
ids teat I Not
ee oboe lest
M abort/ea
end • beck
mom beA tl
u the loadin,

owe Irak.
kft the bowie
met tos."l
of the
V. we
lotion to the

--- - -
/(7.1114 ewe
r ll‘ed is it I

111112.1 y rights
three o clock.
..ut the whole
the host wait,
aildiag on the
• ee found the
man of the
re were two

dist It

-
and bad
esoliag th.
and I found a
east red. We
WI 'him. %Vs
.6ltimo under
. Smith,'. thsy
lay with their
take bold al
bodies
utea part four
of them , the
rta 00, which
his trousers
ha was la
took plies.
Nu one called

The win-
me. The treat

Itorand by the
to Arad lognele
thia ere from
Ltation.

s policeman at
The refSectioa
ten, ion.

- • •-•
~¢,,uuction of

rood the door,
.t half•paat 3.
Le first alarm
,ut 4 quarter
.rrora.
as 1 Ole fourth
Hare you ao7

winding at the
wril..treet. It
11.‘e it wu No.
I I turned round
ip to the house.
lower pert of
that I could
liately sprang
window above.
ow on the fleet
rid directly over
one. I heard
ad no sooner
ooped my head
nrcely done ea
he tell on my
him up; he
mother window,
• telimis We.
13.1111 ed Cowell
hildren. There
not ..at safely.
time. I (sabot
ed. l'uliet•••••
to caw* Lamar
rattles togethlw.
wale, bat sit
d Soot widows
111. I lIIIW MO
.b.• wood yip.
sed abost Ihe
out .hve. It
uch cejise was

yr at tbm
Tbf• w be
'brae, the leer
• part ef
,• eery wbo pt
‘1,.,r I comid
..n attracted

duo* valuate,
• gush of Or%
layetly 144 PIN
assoyea b 7
top to the twat
ism* Arr.iosa. Wlts
id it moil bol be
mrsoo•ris. It me
:harp of it west

twelve minims
dleterewi of the
ibelleressegsr
be lower part of
oing to the fee-
eel. Bloomsbury,
fin op node,
er half-peat two
vwder The erg
rre tom qlteseous.
just retursed
.Mist about tire
heard the alarm.
ise hieratic .ad
don't think
an* wee coming
ore en greet at
lase for setts
the Older of
and ths door.
„pro or sot. I
Ito-) were mills.
old arm gut
frinekhl
k of that triable

.bury, bon nos
114 i h leg risitird
intwodublii for
• arm appiaTed,

Tuella mem
Mr. utwood
t.ur minutes miter
kw the bead put
rm.". 1 west up
Igoe

flat 7: come
In. doe's sitli
▪ ranted in at the
n came down lear'
a roof sad calm cm
me, ned be came
rem. Ile bad dia.
Gll into ray S'
't pet •
da.
• befo,• =I
en
ilmawea4 °NM
a people mit the
&ergs 4