The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-12 00:00:00

FIRES AND LOSS OF LIFE,

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Yesterday about noon great alarm was caused in the
neighbourhood of Wormwood-street, Bishopsgate-street,
from the outbreak of a fire on the premises of Messrs. Fisher
and King, livery-stable keepers, No. 2, Helmet•court,
Wormwood-street, Bishopsgate. The fire commenced in
the stabling, and as it was rapidly extending into the work-
shops over belonging to Mr. J. Sheppard, cabinet maker, it
was expected that the buildings around would have been
destroyed. The engines of the parish and several of the
London Brigade, including one of the laud steamers by
Shand, Mason, and Co., quickly arrived at the spot, and a
good supply of the New River Company's water having
been procured, the firemen, under the direction of Captain
Shaw, aided by 56 hired auxiliaries, did all that was pos-
stble to prevent the flames from reaching the houses in
Wormwood-street and several others in Helmet-court. At
the same time the residents commenced removing their
goods. Captain Shaw, in order to satisfy them that no
danger existed, sent Engineer Flinn to procure a couple of
lengths of ladder from his engine, so that he could mount
the upper floor of the burning building. Whilst he was
gone Captain Shaw procured a ladder, and just as Flinn
arrived with his he mounted the temporary one, and whilst
in the act of swinging himself upon the flap of the front
warehouse, the sudden jerk caused the chains of the flap to
give way, and the gallant captain was precipitated head-
long to the ground, falling upon Flinn.
Captain Shaw, and also Engineer Flynn, were at once
removed to their stations, where it was found that Flinn
was not very seriously injured; but the captain was very
much hurt, and Dr. Saunders, of Queen-street, Cheapside,
was sent for, and, seeing the serious nature of the case, re-
commended, if the captain wished it, that Dr. llewitt, of
Chesterfield-street, Mayfair, should be also called in. That
was done.
The fire was at length extinguished, but not until the
premises of Messrs. Fisher and King, and the workshops
over, were nearly destroyed, and the premises of Messrs.
Sheppard and others were severely damaged. The princi-
pal loss will fall upon the Sun Fire-office.
An alarming fire also took place on the premises of Mr.
West, a steel polisher, 91, Great Saffron-hill, Clerkenwell.
This fire commenced in the upper floor, used as the work-
shops, and which contained a valuable stock in trade. The
engines soon attended, and plenty of water having been
obtained, the firemen went to work, but the premises of
Mr. Weet were nearly burned out, and the two houses ad-
joining, Nos, 92 and 93, the property of Mr. Topp, were
much damaged. The leis will. fall upon the Liverpool and
London Fire-office.
A fire of a very distressing character also happened in the
premises occupied by a female, 84 years of age, who resided
in Redcross-court, Redcross-street, Southwark. The fire
was caused, it is supposed, by the unfortunate female falling
into the Aire. She was so terribly burnt that, in spite of the
services rendered by Dr. Donohoe, of the Westminster-
road, who was passing at the time, the poor creature
perished. The body awaits the coroner's inquest.