Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-31
WV WEDNESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 81, 1890
TWO MILLION BLAZE
In the City OF London-The Work of the
Fire Department.

In the City of London-The Work of the
Fire Department.
LONDON, December 30.-A terrific con-
Migration is raging inthis city this after
noon.
The scene of the fire Is in Queen Vic
toria and Thames streets, near Black
friars bridge.
Numerous warehouses are blazing,
and London seems 10 be destined TO
suffer one of the largest and most de-
structive fires in its history OF recent
years.
Fourteen fire engines were soon upon
the spot and the iremen did their ut
most. but with little success, TO check
the course Of the flames. \ high wind
was blowing, and it materially added TO
the fury of the flames while him
dcring the firemcn in their efforts 10
save property.
Terrible sheets of flame and clouds Of
hot smoke were frequently whirled
dangerously near the struggling fire.
men, who met with little or no success
in their battle with the fiery element.
The large wholesale fur mauufactory OF
Revellion Freres, extending from No.
1877 to Ill Queen Victoria street, was
seen to be doomed shortly after the fire
gained strong headway.
Following this news was tie informa-
tion that large paper warehouse, a
number of fancy goods stores and the
Gulcher Electric Light and Power Com
Dany's building were also a complete
prey to the flames. The flames spread
as rapidly on all sides as if there were
no iiremen or fire engines present. I'm
menSe crowds of people gathered on the
bridges over the Thames and in the
streets running down to the river, where
a good view of the conflagration could
be had. Many people expressed the
hope that this disaster would at last
bring about a reform in the Lon
don Fire Brigade, and its long
needed remodcling upon the
plan of the New York fire department.
1t seems strange to many people, In
view Of the disastrous fire OF week OF
so ago, when nearly dozen buildings
were destroyed on Praed street, thai
old fashioned manual fire engines should
still be in use in the London brigade,
while the steamers or steam fire engines
i'm use seem TO be utterly behind the
times.
As the fire progressed it spread TO the
headquarters of the Salvation Army, H.
Eliminating that red-painted blood and
fire" building in most ominous man
ner. The SalyationistS worked like
beavers in their efforts to place The
records and other property OF the army
In Il place Of safety before it was toe
late
At this hour a p. m.) the fire Ii
spreading in all directions. All th'
buildings from the corner OF Bennett
Hill to No. l35 Queen Victoria street arr
either blazing fercely or are Quilted
some smouldering red ruins, with
scorched, blackened shells around them
And all this ruin has been done ant
much more is being done, TO all appear
ances. unchecked, in spite OF the pres
ence OF twenty steam fire engines, two
fire escapes and large number OF Ole
"manual" fire engines upon the scene
The latter, however, might just as wei
be in the British museum as operating
upon such a coniagratiOn as this.
Upon the authority OF the Londor
Fire Brigade chiefs upon the scene o
the disaster, IL is announced that th'
fire originated in the building occupied
by C. Davidson x Sons, paper and pape
felt manufacturers and paper Oat
makers. at ll9 Queen Victoria street
This building extended back into UppeI
! Thames street. 1t was large structure
and was completely Quilted, as was ais'
that of Adolph Franlian & Co., manu-
facturers of pipes and importers oil 10
bacco, at No. 12l Queen Victoria street
Old st. Benets Church at Paul''
Wharf. between No. 92j and No. 22'
Upper Thames street, famous Welsl
church, also caught fire, its BLAZING
steeple forming one OF the most striking
features Of the grandly terrible scene
The firemen at one time managed to o6
tain control of the flames at this point
and the conHagatiOn, so far as ~
Benet's was concerned, was for tim'
arrested.
At the hour of sending this dispatci
-4:3O p. m.-what would be termed II
New York four large "blocks" OF build
ings were in flames and burning steadily
They will all, to Judge from present ap
pearances, be gutted by the flames.
1t is now p. IN, aud a careful eX
animation of the scenes OF the battl
fought between the London fire brigad
and the fire liend shows that parts o
St. Benet's church were not destroyed
as at first stated.
n-iustice to the London iiremen !
may be said they had hard tussle will
weather as well as with flames. A
previously noted high wind material
iy assisted the fire in IT'S work OF de
str,.ction, and the weather was so cole
that water frozc almost in the air, form
ing ice all over the apparatus and oye
the iiremen. There was no loss OF life
and but few accidents among the fire
men. The cause Of the fire Is unknown
and the amount Of damage done is no"
estimated to be EiO0,00 or 10000
Revillon Frer, for instance, recently re
ceived 100000 worth of seal skins
which have been almost entirely con
Sumed by the flames.