Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-11-19
lONDON'S CENTER In FLAMES
Disastrous Fire Raging on Several
Streets Beyond Control of Fire
Department and Spreading.
The THREATENED BUILDINGS VACATED
No Casualties SoFar Reported-Thou-
sands View the Sight-Destroyed
Structures Filled with Mer-
chandise and LOSS is Big.

London, Nov. 19.-The most disastrous
FIRE that has occurred in years is raging
here. In several streets adjacent to the
general postofices, huge blocks of build
iDgs are blazing fiercely, many houses
have collapsed, and fifteen warehouses
have already been destroyed. The build
ings are ablaze on both sides of the
streets thus preventing the firemen from
! reaching them.
The fire broke out on Hamsell street
and worked through the houses to Well
street, narrow thoroughfare, then ex-
tended rapidly both up and down the
street. Well street is now involved from
end to end and the flames are rapidly
nearing Nicholas square which is sur
rounded by tall warehouses.
The fire brigade has given up all hope
of subduing the fire and is devoting its
energies to prevent the further spread.
Occupants Of the threatened buildings are
hastily removing all books and business
documents. No casualties have thus far
been reported. At $3.50 O'Clock this af-
ternoon 80 fire engines were engaged in
fighting the flames and others are arriv-
ing momentarily from all parts of Lon
don. Many thousands of people have
gathered to see the fire. One end of
Jewin street is now attacked by the
flames and presents the appearance of a
huge furnace. The damage done is
enormous. Most of the buildings de.
stroyed were six stories high and filled
with merchandise.
The flames by p. m. had worked from
Jewin street into Cross street where an
entire block of houses on the street was
threatened. Over 40 engines were at
work at that time.
1t is impossible to estimate the damage
done or the real extent of the fire at
present, but various newspapers are pub.
fishing sensational estimates of the loss.
Many of the buildings burned or threat
ened contained large numbers of girls
employed in various capacities, many of
whom escaped with difficulty.
The area of the fire is at least 100000
square yards and sixty warehouses have
already been destroyed. The fire extends
from Wood street to Aldersgate street,
and the damage already done is estimated
at $10,000,00O.
The vicarage of st. Goel's, Cripple
gate, is destroyed and the church is on
fire.
The fire originated in the store Of an
umbrella manufacturer on Hamsell street
at O'Clock this afternoon. The great
loss of property seems to be due to a
delay in summoning the fire department.
One Published report says that the police
officer who first detected the flames blew
a whistle loudly for assistance, but sew
eral minutes elapsed before the alarm
was heard by any of his comrades. As
soon as assistance reached him the officer
was dispatched to call the fire brigade.
Here again was an accountable delay of20
minutes before the first engine appe sred,
then the fearful dimensions of the fire
became apparent and it was decided to
circulate a call through the whole metro.
politan district.
At O'Clock the fire was reported to be
under control. Oripplegate church is
saved, but badly damaged.