The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-05-17 00:00:00

FIRE AT BOOTLE AND LOSS OF LIFE

On Saturday morning last, the premises in the occupation
of Mr. John Percival, Derby Arms Hotel, Bootle-marsh,
were destroyed by fire, and we are sorry to add, that a tine
little boy, the son of the landlord, lost his life, having, it is
supposed, been suffocated by the smoke when attempting to
effect his escape. The fire is believed to have broken out
shortly after midnight. It commenced in the lower apart-
ments, but all inquiries as to its origin have proved fruitless.
The family retired to rest, we understand, between eleven
and twelve. Mrs. Percival was awakened about one o'clock
by the breaking of glass in one of the rooms beneath her
bed-chamber, supposed to have been occasioned by heat.
She arose in great consternation, and found her apartment
full of smoke, and, on opening the door, saw that the house
was on lire. She aroused her husband, and immediately
threw open the window and screamed for asaistance. One
of the county police. No. 59, baPpened to be close at band.
He ran to the spot, and Mrs. Percival jumped from the win-
dow, two stories in height, into his arms, and sustained no
injury. Mr. Percival, seeing that the flames were bursting
up the staircase, and that escape by the usual avenues was
impracticable, called loudly to his family and servants, all of
whom, save two little boys, assembled in his room, and
effected their descent safely from the window. The boys
alluded to slept together, and, when the alarm was given,
one of them ran to the barmaid, but unfortunately left
her, saying he would go to his mother, under the im-
pression, doubtless, that with her he would be safe. Un-
happily, he was never afterwards seen, and it is conjectured
that he had lost his way in the dense smoke of the stair-
case and had been suffocated, in the first instance, and
afterwards consumed by the fire. The other little boy had
made his way to the roof of the building where he was seen
by the spectators below. He called loudly to them to bring
a ladder, which he knew was at hand. This was dare and
he was taken from his perilous position. Meanwhile, the
alarm spread, and, on the arrival of one of the County Con-
stabulary, a messenger was despatched to Liverpool for the
Fire-police. Mr. Hewitt received the intelligence about half-
past two o'clock. The engines were got out immediately
and they set off, with such firemen as could be collected,
with the utmost speed to Bootle, where they arrived and
were in full play in about twenty minutes from the moment
of receiving the information. We are informed, that the
arrangements adopted on the spur of the moment by Mr,
Hewitt were admirable. He found the interior of the house
one mass of flame, and it was evident that its destruction
was inevitable. He was informed, however, that the cellars
were full of porter, wine, and st danger, and that this wouldrnrits. Seeing that the con-
tigious buildings were
,
be enchanced should the spirits explode he at once directed
his efforts to the subjugation of the fire in that direction,
while he endeavoured to confine its ravages to the materials
on which it had already fastened, He
was informed that
there was no water nearer than the canal, which was several
hundred yards distant. He however, quickly disposed three
engines in the proper position to convey a plentiful supply of
water to the immediate scene of the disaster. Meanwhile
Mr. Whitty arrived, and took the superintendence of the
operations. So speedily had everything been arranged that
the engines were got into play almost 'immediately, and the
impression which they made on the fire was quickly visible.
The progress of the flames was arrested, and in less than an
an hour and a half, they were completely subdued without
further mischief. Not the slighest damage was sustained by
the adjoining buildings.
The entire stock of the Hotel was
consumed. _ . •

The whole of the men belonging to our Fire-Police behaved
admirably ; and the officers of the county Constabulary ex-
erted themselves with praiseworthy perseverance.
We are informed, that Mr. Percival's stock and furniture
were insured with the Norwich Union for £l,OOO. The
premises were the property of the Earl of Derby. We have
not heard whether they were insured or not.