Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-11-20


most disastrous fires in London's his
tory since the great fire of 1866, broke
out in large block of buildings lying
eastward Of Aldersgate south, and be-
tween that thoroughfare and Red Cross
street, just after 1 o'clock this after
noon.
The flames were famed by a strong
wind and were fed by highly infiam-
mable stocks Of Christmas fancy goods
and flimsy dress materials Of all de-
scriptions that filled every floor of the
six-story buildings in the old street.
Consequently the conflagration gain
ed Roadway with surprising rapidity
and was soon far beyond the possibility
of being checked by the few engines
which were early on the spot. For four
hours and half the flames had their
own way and it was only after more
than a hundred engines had worked on
hour that the chief of the fire brigade
sent out the signal that the fire was I'M
der control.
At IL o'clock tonight the fire is still
the scene of great excitement Fifty
engines are playing upon the ruins,
wagons are hurrying up coal, and tons
of water are pouring into the fiery de-
bris
Thousands of people are trying to
penetrate the Gordon maintained by a
thousand policemen, reinforcements for
whom were hurried up when soon af-
ter 6 o'clock an increase in the out
break led Commander Wells to make
requisition for more engines upon the
odslz N = stations,
The scene must occupy the tire brig
ade for several days, especially in view
of the grave danger of the collapse of
shells of buildings which fall 2ow and
again with a loud report. The latest
accounts indicate that nearly hundred
warehouses have been destroyed, while
the loss will probably exceed 100000
pounds.
The fire originated in the store of an
umbrella manufacturer on Hamsell
street at / o'clock this afternoon and
the great loss of property seems to be
due to the delay in summoning the fire
department. One published report says
the police officer 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. AS soon as assistance
reached him the officer was dispatched
to call the fire brigade.
But here again there was an unac-
countable delay of twenty minutes be-
fore the first engine appeared. Then
the fearful dimensions of the fire were
apparent and it was decided to circulate
a call throughout the whole metropoI-
tan district.
At about 6 O'Clock the fire was re-
ported to be under control.
Cripple Gate Church is saved, but it
is badly damaged
The historic church of ST. Giles has
been much damaged, the principal dam
ages being to the roof, the old windows.
the baptismal font and Millions statue.
Hamsell street was the scene OF the
outbreak of the fire which was due 10
an explosion in connection with gas
engine on the premises of Waiter Brown
& Co. mantel manufacturers at No. 80
on that thoroughfare. Their third fac
tory was crowded with girls when the
fire broke out and IL was instantly the
scene of a semi-panic, the frightened
operatives rushing TO the roof of the
building and thence crossing to other
buildings and so effecting their escape
while the flames were pouring out of
the basement In less than a quarter
of an hour the flames had enveloped
the adjoining warehouse and thence
they leaned across the street to an
enormous paper warehouse which was
fully alight in less than ten minutes.
Ry this time it was evident TO the
fremeu that they were race 10 lace
with a great disaster and general
alarm was sent out. Then from all the
fire stations. even those quite five
miles from the scene Of the disaster
engines were hurried to the spot and
the police gathered about the neigh
borhood in great force
This display of strength on the part
of the police was required, as the
crowd swelling in size every mo-
ment, soon amounted to tens OF
thousands of people and the tiremen
required every possible freedom OF &C
ton. as their fight was one OF the
greatest difficulty, owing to the mar
rowness of the. old, crooked streets,
which are the feature Of that part OF
London. combined with the height or
the warehouses which cut off the fire
men from all fair chance OF conhnlng
the outbreak.
The excitement among the onlook-
ers who crowded around every possible
} point of view was very great, as may
be judged from the fact that fremen
had to be repeatedly rescued by their
comrades, by the aid of fire escapes.
from buildings which had caught fire
after the firemen had mounted to their
roofs to fight the flames in adjoining
structures.
The rescue Of operatives by the fire.
men, the hurrying Of hosts of clerks.
who were trying to save books and
valuable papers from the fire. and the
rushing here and there OF many en-