New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-20
MAP SHOWING THE BURNED DISTRICT.

street lamps. stripped by the heat Of their
burners and glass frames, blazed with big
Jets from the open pipes. like monster danger
torches.
UNDER CONTROL AT HALF PAST FIVE.
There was no abatement of the furious per-
sistenca of the blaze before $50 o'clock. Then
the check came in Jewn St by q tremendous
use Of water. and in We-st. where the collapse
OF a wall on the rght-hand side of that
thoroughfare was the means Of saving the last
building in the street The width Of Redcross-
St. a comparatively broad thoroughfare also
formed barrier there. and at 54j p. m. Com
mander Wells was able to breathe without anx-
iety knowing that he had got the upper hand OF
one OF the greatest fires on record Two acres
Of buildings. however. had beer ruined.
Though the fire was then under control vol
umes Of fame were still pouring out Of many
buildings and the situation would have de-
ceived any but the experienced fremen.
In spite OF the numberless narrow escapes, no
casualties have been reported.
The most serious aspect OF the disaster, after
the enormous loss oCcasioned. Is that over lJOO
employees have been thrown out Of work and that
many Of them lost all their belongings
At IL D. IL. the fire was stlll the scene or
great excitement Fifty engines were playing
upon the ruins wagons we've hurrying coal TO
the place, and tons Of water were being poured
into the fiery debris. Thousands or people were
tryinC o penetrate the Gordon maintained by
a thousand policemen, reinforcements Tor Whom
were hurried up when, soon after q o'clock, an
increase in the outbreak led Commander Wells
TO make requisition on the outlying stations
for more engines
The scene must occupy the Fire Brigade for
several days especially in view of the grave
danger OF the collapse OF the shells OF build
ings which fall now and again with loud re-
port
The historic church OF st. Giles much
damaged. the principal injury being to the roof.
the old windows. the baptismal font ana MIL
tons statue The vicarage was destroyed.
DELAY ON THE PART OF THE FIRE BRIGADE.
A published report Of the fire says: THE
constable (police ofcer who first detected the
flames blew his whistle loudly for assistance,
but several minutes elapsed before the alarm
was heard by any OF his comrades SO soon
as assistance reached him. the officer was dis
patched to summon the Fire Brigade. But heIo
again there was unaccountabIe deIay oi
twenty minutes before the first engine appeared.
Then the fearful dimensions Of the fire were ap,
parent and IL decided to circulate call
throughout the whole Metropolitan District
London. Nov. 20-4 a. ma large force OF
nremcn and about twenty engines have been
working at high pressure all night.
The district ravaged by the fire is bounded
by Aldersgate-st Redcross- Maidenhead
court and Bradford ave- and includes the In
termediate streets of Jewin, Hamsell, Well and
| Edmund and Jewin Crescent. as well as parts OF
AustralIan-aye Paul's Alley. Cripplegate
Churcbyard Wood Street Square. Monkwell-st..
Nichols Square and Forest.
II is officially reported that one hundred and
| fifty warehouses have been gutted; later
| estimate OF the damage uoic PidCeo TIC aniou"t
| at nearly fo,Ooo,oo.
| Nearly all the British fire insurance companies
are involved. and fire insurance shares were
nracticaly unstable on the Stock Exchange
Yesterday (Friday) afternoon after the IRE whs
well under way. , .u