The record-union., 1897-11-20


LONDON, Nov 19.-One of the most
disastrous fires in London's history
since the great fire of 1866 broke out in
a large block of buildings lying east
ward of Aldersgate street, and between
that thoroughfare and Red Cross street,
just after l o'clock this morning. The
flames were famed by a strong wind,
and We're fed by highly infiammable
stocks of Christmas fancy goods and
fimsy dress materials of all descrip-
tions that filled every floor of the six
story building in the old street. Con-
sequently, the confiagration gained
headway with surprising rapidity, and
was soon far beyond the possibility of
being checked by the few engines which
We're early on the scene.
For four and a half hours the flames
had their own way, and it was only after
more than a hundred red 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 en-
gines 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 pen
citrate the Gordon maintained by a thou
sand policemen, reinforcements for
whom We're hurried UP, when. soon
after O'clock. an increase in the out
break led Commander Wells to make a
requsition for more engines upon the
outlying stations.
The scene must occupy the fire bri-
of the grave danger of the collapse of
shells of buildings, which fall now and
again with a loud report.
The latest accounts indicate that
nearly a hundred warehouses have been
destroyed, while the loss viii probably
exceed $4,000, 600 S15,000, ,000.
The historic Church of St. Giles has
been much damaged, the principal dam
are being to the roof. the old windows,
the baetismal font and Millions statue.
Hamsell street was the scene of the
outbreak of the fire. which was due to
an explosion in connection with a gas
engine on the premises of Walter
Rrown & Co, mantle manufacturers at
No. 80 on that thorouShfare. Their
third factory was crowded with girls
when the fire broke out, and it was in
stantly the scene of a semi panic, the
frightened operatives rushing to the
roof of the building. and thence cross
ing to other buildings and so effecting
their escape, while the flames We're
pouring out of the basement.
In less than a quarter of an hour the
flames had enveloped the adjoining
warehouse and thence they leaped
across the street to an enormous paper
warehouse. which was fully in flames
in less than ten minutes.
By this time it was evident to the fire.
men that thev We're face to face with n
great disaster, and a general alarm was
sent out Then from all the fire sta
lions. even those five miles from the
scene Of the disaster, engines We're hur-
ried to the spot, and the police gathered
about the neighborhood in great force.
This display OF strength on the part of
the police was required, as the crowd,
ri, ont
amounted to tens of thousands of peo-
pie, and the firemen required every pos
sible freedom of action, as their tight
was one of the greatest difficulty, owing
streets which are the feature of that
part of London, combined with the
hight Of the warehouses. which cut off
the firemen from all fair chance of con-
fining the outbreak.
The excitement among the onlookers
who crowded every possible point OF
view was very great, as may be judged
from the fact that the firemen had to
be repeatedly rescued by their comrades
by the aid of the fire escapes from build
1ngS Wnlch nad caught fre 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 yalu-
able papers from the fire, and the rush
ing here and there of manx employees
who were attempting to carry to places
of safety costly merchandise or other
valuables, added to the confusion. The
heat was so intense that several firemen
were Obliged to direct their operations
under showers Of water poured upon
them.
But in spite of the exertions of the