The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-15 00:00:00

The Poulterers' Anne Tavern was an antiquated-looking
building of three or four storeys, overlooking the roof
covering of the old Poultry Market. It has recently come
into the possession of Mr. Loliegrove, the present occupier
of the Itoie and Crown Tavern, also in the market, who
-was putting it into thorough repair. The tavern business
was still being carried on by Mrs. Lovegrove, who slept in
the house, the rest of the inmates consisting, it is under-
stood, of the barmaid, cook, servant, and potboy. The
tavern was closed between 11 and 12 last night, and at the
time of their retiring to rest there was nothing to excite their
suspicions, everything appearing comparatively safe, and it
continued in this condition until half-past five this morning.
One of the city police on duty in the market on passing
along the passage noticed a strong glare of light through
the fan-light window over the door, and in a very few
moments the flames rolled out with great force. The
tavern being built chiefly of lathe and plaster, the front
covered with timber, the flames spread with astounding
rapidity. There were very few parsons in the market
at the time, but some who were near at once
made an effort to rescue the inmates, who could be seen at
the window crying for help. It was evident that the fire
had obtained possession of the staircase and prevented their
escaping, and, from the peculiar construction of the mar-
ket, it was difficult to get a ladder up to the windows
where the poor creatures were appealing for aid. Some of
the bystanders got on to the roof of the market, and had
their exertions been observed by the terrified inmates of
the burning tavern, the lives of the unfortunate creatures
who are believed to have perished might have been saved,
but the smoke appeared to overpower them, and so were
rendered nearly helpless. The fire-escape men got some
short ladders up the passage, but as they were on the eve
of being placed against the windows Mrs. Harris, the land-
lady, and the potboy threw themselves out on to the
passage and they were much injured. The servant, it is
stated, was got out through the roof, but there is much
reason to-fear that the other inmate; the barmaid and the
cook, perished.

So rapid did the fire progress that the flames spread right
along the frontage of the adjoining premises of Mr. Ed-
wards, coffee house-keeper, fronting the market, and those
being almost entirely of wood, they soon presented one
mass of flames. The people were in the shop preparing
for the day's business, but it is represented that there were
between 20 and 30 lodgers in bed upstairs at the time of
the outbreak, and their scramble to get out of the place
may possibly be conceived. Intelligence of the firo
having reached the brigade stations in the City, the engines
were speedily on the spot, but owing, we understand, to
some delay in procuring a supply of water, some time
elapsed eye they could be got into operation. In the mean-
while the flames, uncontrolled, extended fiercely, the
Poulterers' Arms and the coffee-house were alight from
top to bottom, and the large leaden roof over the
poultry market had ignited, threatening destrud-
tion to the whole of the market. The fire
had also reached the houses in Ship Tavern-
passage, and to the houses No. 20 and 21, Lime-street, in
the occupation of Mr. Barker, baker, and Mr. Severn, the
upper portion being let as offices to merchants and others.
Very fortunately there was little wind. What there was
blew from the east right over the market, but it was so
trifling that it might almost be called a calm. /lad it blown
with force, nothing could have prevented the flames sweep-
ing away the whole of the market and surrounding houses,
most of them built in the old fashioned style—lath and
plaster. The steam fire engines on being got into operation
played with great effect. They worked in Lime-street,
the hose being taken up the narrow passage on to the roof
of the market, and also on to the roof of the adjoining
house, where the firemen had a command over the con-
flagration.
While the brigademen wero thus engaged the blazing
buildings fell in with a crash, but happily no ono sustained
any injury. Eventually the firo was prevented extending
beyond the limit already described. It is scarcely neces-
sary to state that the whole of these premises were de-
stroyed, and other property very seriously damaged. By
9 o'clock the fire was entirely extinguished.
No search as yet has been made for the remains of the
missing females, owing to the heated and dangerous state
of the ruins and surrounding walls. The firemen have in-
structions to proceed with a search as soon as practicable.
As to the origin of the fire nothing precise could be
gleaned. The occupiers is believed to be insured.

Bank of England Return,•-• This Evening,

An Account, pursuant to f
cap. 32, for the week ending

[SEIM DEP
Notes issued

£29,711,20

BA.NICING D
i'• oprietors' Capi-
tal .£14.553,000
[teat
l'ublicDeposits (in-
cluding Exche-
quer, Savings'
Banks, Comrnim-
missioners of Na-
tional Debt, and
Dividend Ac-

counts) 8,8)2,193
Other Deposits—, 12,V35081
Seven Day and
other Bills 411,71!

,936
• 1V

June 15, 1565,