The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-03-04 00:00:00

LATE FIRE IN THE STRAND.

CORONER'S INQUEST
ON TIIE UNFORTUNATE. SUFFERERS.

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At seven o'clock last eveiting sit Itiopiisition was
held at the home of Slr. Whitchrolik, the sign of
the Cannon, in lion ger foril-ste eel, Strand, before
I.Lwts, E-q. Coroner for the city of West-
minster, oil the bodies of three persons who lost
their lives in the dreadful tire on Sunday, vis. IIrP.
Emma W beater, an appi entire of the tonne of
Joseph Sturgeon, who weir burned to death, and
James Tasker, the shopman, who was killed by
fulling oat of to window.
As KOOll as the Jury were bworti they repaired to
the Workhouse to view the bothes. They presented
a must terrible appearance, every one shuddered at
the awful spectacle, they were 'sillily consuintd.
On their return to the Jury Room, the fol-
lowing depositions were taken
Newman, a constable, was the first a itisess. II e
said that on Sunday last, about 12 o'clock, lie saw
the bodies of Mrs. ‘Vheater and Joseph Sturgeon
taken out of the ruins iii the Strand. near Ilewit's-
court, and put in a shell and conveyed to the wot k-
house. Witness knew the body of James Tasker,
who was tying at the workhouse ; no part of his
body was bond, but his hands were much scorched.
'l'l 1111 l 111$ Gray, of No. 401, Strand.— His house
is situated near Bedford-street, and about two

hunched yards from Hewn's-court. On Sunday
caoruin last, about six o'clock or a little after,
having occasion to he up early, he wean into the
Strand, and observed the house of Mr. Wlleater

blazing from the second floor—he met a watchman
coming from the spot where the tire proceeded fioni,
and a►ked him if that was a fire, he said
it was, but took no further notice of it. lie
(witness) gave no ohm himself, but returned to
apprise his family, after which lie returned again to
the spot, owl remained there some time, nearly
opposite to the lire. Ele could not recollect the pre-
cise time, or whether the watchman belonging to
St. Martin's parish, or not. Severel firemen by this
time were collected together, reside' ing what assist-
ance they could.
.Jr. Peter Richardson, one of the Jurymen,
here put several questions to the witness, but his
recollection was so bad lie could not answer them
with any degree of accuracy.
John Birt, supernumerary-watchman to St. Mar-
tin's Parish; his box is situate iii the corner of
Illewit's-court. He left his hail a few minutes be-
fore six o'clock to call the (tour, and he at the
watch-house by six ; lie was positive no fire at that
time had taken place, neither did he know of it
till l►e went home.

The watch-house-keeper said, 20 minutes was
the general time allowed for the watchmen to bring
in their rattles, and they never were allowed to call
the hour before the clock had struck.

Joint Dirt continued—He was certain lie did unt
stop any where, and was at the watch-house by six
o'clock ; no smoke was seen by him, nor did he
smell any thing of the kind.
Several Jurymen here asked the witness molly
questions, but lie could give no satisfactory answer.
Mr. William Robinson, one of the beadles, was
in attendance at the watch-house on Saturday night
last; was certain un watchman caine to the watch-
house before six o'clock. He lett at YO ttt i t intro
after six, and no alarm of lire had then Nitro place
to his knowledge, nor did lie know of it until half
put ten on Sunday morning.
William Nettleton was constable of the night on
Saturday last. lie remained iu the wstch-liabise tid
the rattles had all been given iu—was quite certain
they had not been delivered there before six o'clock
that moriiing. On his way home towards Du ury-lay.
lie saw &smoke, and considered it came front a lire'
house, but finding it increase, returned down N. w
Round-court, where lie met a boy with two chil-
dren, who informed hint a great lire hail broken out
iu Hewn's-court ; lie immediately went to the hue,
and rendered all the assistance he could, and res-
cued the female servant of Mr. Ashman from the
}Nines, and desired two watchmen whom lie saw to
stay and protect what property they could, He
was certain it wits not a quarter after six. lie was
threatened to be reported to the Vestry, and should
lose his situation because he spoke about the
eugi lies.

Mr. John Allen resides at No. 20, corner of
Hungerford.street, said, he was awake a little
before six o'clock, and heard John Dunu, the
watchman, call the hour of six, but the clock had
not struck. Almost immediately afterwards heard
the cry of " Murder!"—" !" Ile ran to his
room window facing the Strand, and looked. to-
wards where the cry was heard, and observed too
ia.rsons at the window of the flind floor of Mr.
%Vheater'r house. The sash was open lie supposes
as high as it could go, and the persons were in the
act of getting out to reach the parapet, when one of
them lost his bold and fell into the Strand. There
were no flames to be perceived at that time,
but some smoke was perceivable behind, winch
convinced him the house was on lire. They
appeared to be men in their shirts. When one
of the persons fell, the other was near Mr.
Ashmetn's house, which shocked hint so much,
thinking he might fall also, that he could stay no
longer to behold the scene. A very iris persons
were ou the spot at the time. Srroal eliktines were
there about live or ten initiates past six—lint no
water could be procured for at least twenty mi-
nutes. In a few minutes after, the flames burst
from the upper story, iu front of the Stroud.
IVilliam Pars•, fireman to the Hope Insurance,
was in uttendance at Drury-lane, where his son
Caine to inform him of the tire; he instantly went
there; several engines were on the spot waiting for
a supply of water, but none was piocured fur sonic
time.

Mr. Stephen Iliorticastle Crider, lately resided
with Mr. Wheater, knew doe finally well, they
consisted of only six persons ifs already mentioned
in former accounts. Witness has wen - Air. W.
since the occurrence has taken place. flad a large
stock dbf gouda in the 11011 Se, and cash to the amount
of between 3 to 400/. This witness bas also visited
die porter, David Lloyd, who effected his escape,
by forcing the window and running along the para-
pet. Mr. 11'lleuter made his escape front the back
loan of the house.
John Donn', a watchman. of Si. Martin's ;
his bait is hour [lunge' fonot•stocet to Charlee-

court ; lie called the hour jit‘t before six, mid
proceeded directly towards the w,ot: t-hottw,
after giving in his rattle, lie weal dm View.
street, in slow p:ice, ou his way bond, and at
that time not the least alarm or Niti-11 ..t lire kid
accursed.

Mr. Itehard Simmons, surgeon, or Osendno-
street. mod he had ex.imittett the hotly of ittinei
Tasker, and found an extensive fracture of the
skull, witch he haft no doubt it t;la. t•,tuse of hiq
death. The other bodies were Ine:ot almost to It
cinder. Here the wines* beageti tat ohsen•e, that
one of the bodies 6.1 were Luria to death was at
female, the other it finale.

The :Coroner Oleo addrei.sed the Jars, and the
roinwing verdict erns returned :—Mrs. Pmersq
D'/realer and Joseph Sturgeon came to their deaths
accidentally, by burning. James 'rasher cccidental
death, by (stall.

A great number of females in the vicinity of the
Str remain ill in consequence e.t. the bight
occasioned by the lite calamitous tire iu the Strand,
is the carrot' Airs. Jscitsux, the wife of Mr. JACK.
S'JN, Ininkbincli-r, iu Villieis-street, it has prose.'
fatal. 'Plitt IA? war among the first persons at.
triacted to the spot, and had arrived just in time to
see the untnrtunate Mrs. Virtitist'eft traversiug her
room in it state of distinction, with her 4:116161 111 tier
arm., the moment before she drew it from the
wiriii..w, and tray herself shortly slier enveloped by
the flisines. Mrs. JACKSON returned home in a
state of great agitation 761141 distress; dining the
remainder of the day she was very restless, bust was
a little conipo,ecl when she went to lied. In the
night she was takes ill, mid at three o'clock on
Monday she expired in it lit of epilepsy. Mrs,
JACKSON 1V:111 previously a strong, heal th) -looking
woman.