GREAT LONDON BLAZE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1931, Page 5

GREAT LONDON BLAZE

ON THE WATERFRONT. A REMARKABLE SPECTACLE. [United Press Association. — By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON'. Man-h 7. The most spectacular fire ! °r "ia».> years in London within two hours i‘dncod to a skeleton portion <»t the seven-storeyed Butler’s Wharf, containing rubber and tea. situated on tin Thames-side, opposite the Towel ol London. Eleven hundred firemen and seventy , engines and five fire floats fought the fire throughout the day to prevent the outbreak fro mspreading to the adjoining buildings, which, owing to the congestion, are regarded as London » danger-zone. A wind that was almost of gale force, whipped the flames upwards hundreds of feet, and blew gigantic volumes of smoke towards the city, which became so darkened that offices a mile distant required to use artificial light. Occasional gusts of wind, blowing away the smoke. revealed the building’s red hot girders ;• and the firemen were seen clinging to swaying ninetvl .foot water towers, and to iron bridges y connecting Butler's Wharf with neighbouring warehouses, and other high points. The firemen were pouring on tons of Water from a hundred jets. The firemen commandeered a steamer and climbed up its funnels and masts to pump on further volumes of water. Revera 1 of the firemen were overcome by the flames. Some had their clothing burnt. There were many narrow escapes when a red hot crane crashed down. Other firemen suffered from intense cold, they having to hack away foot-long icicles, which were caused by freezing as the water dripped. White-hot tea. leaves and ashes were showered on an enormous crowd who were watching the struggle. After six hours, the flames wore got under control. A quantity of oil was stored in the neighbourhood. It is believed to be safe. The damage is estimated at nearly one hundred thousand sterling.