The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-20
NOT YET UNDER CONTROL
A GRAPHIC PICTURE OF THE
SPECTACLE.
THE MOST DISASTROUS SINCE 1866
FEemen Had to Have Streams Turned Upon
Them While They Faced the Terrific
Heat--At Dusk the Picture
Was Brilliant.

Was Brilliant.
London, Nov. 19.-One of the most
disastrous ares in Londons history since
the great fire of 1866, broke out in
large block of buildings lying eastward
of Alders Gate street and between that
throughfare and Red Cross street, just
after one O'Clock this afternoon. The
flames were famed by a strong wind and
were fed by highly inflammable stocks of
Christmas fancy goods and fimsy dress
materials of all descriptions, that filed
every floor of the six story building in
the old street. Consequently the confia-
grafton gained headway 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 an
hour that the chief of the fire brigade
sent out the signal that the fire was
under control.
At IL O'Clock tonight the fire is still
the scene of great excitement. Fifty
are hurrying up coal and tons of water
are pouring into the fiery debris.
The scene must occupy the fire brigade
for several days, especially in view of
the grave danger of the collapse Of shells
of buildings which fall now and again
with loud report. The latest accounts
indicate that nearly a hundred ware
houses have been destroyed, while the
loss will probably exceed 3,000,OO0
pounds sterling The historic church of
st. Giles has been badly damaged, the
principal damage being to the roof, the
old windows, the baptismal font and
Nilton's statue.
Hamsell street was the scene of the
outbreak of the fire which was started
by an explosion in connection with the
gas engine on the premises Of Walter
Brown and Company, mantel manufac-
turers, at No. 80 on the thoroughfare.
Their third factory was crowded with
girls when the fire broke out. The
frightened operatives rushed to the
roof of the building and thence crossing
to other buildings so effected their
escape, while the flames were pouring
out of the basement. In less than
quarter of an hour the flames had en-
veloped the adjoining warehouse, and
an enormous paper warehouse which was
fully alight in less than ten minutes.
By this time it was evident to the
fremen that they were face to face
with great disaster, and a general
alarm was sent out. Policemen also
gathered about the neighborhood in
great numbers. 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. thous-
ends of people, and the fremen required
every possible freedom of action, as
their fight was one of the greatest diff
hculty, owing to the narrowness of the
Old, crooked streets which are the fea-
ture Of that part OF London, combined
with the height of the warehouses which
cut off the fremen from all fair chance
of confning the outbreak. The excite
ment among the onlookers who crowded
every possible point of view, was very
great, as may be judged from the fact
that fremen had to be repeatedly res
cued by their comrades, by the aid Of
the fire escapes, from buildings which had
caught fire after the firemen had mount
ed to their roofs to fight the flames in
adjoining buildings.
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 employees who were
attempting to carry to places of safety
costly merchandise or other valuables,
added to the confusion. Then again the
heat was so intense that several fire.
men were obliged to direct their opera
tions under showers of water poured
upon them.
But in spite of the exertions Of the
fremen, the fire crept on very steadily
until Nicholl Square, which is situated
at the far end Of Hamsell street, was
reached.
AT a little after o'clock a dozen
hose pipes, each with twelve foot
spread, poured water into the blaze from
an opposite roof, from the street below
and from the burning premises them
selves, but it did not seem to have any
effect. The water rushed out of the
windows and from the ground floor like
a water fall, while the flames leaned
higher and higher and as the floors fell
in the places still blazed, gigantic dis
play OF fire and smoke, till the building
was completely Quilted and the walls
keeled over.
The confusion in the streets increas-
ed az the fire spread. Suddenly there
was an explosion of gas meters, sounding
IKE the reports Of field guns, followed
BY q momentary rush. After that the
wild rushing here and there was resum-