GREAT CONFLAGRATION IN LONDON.

Manawatu Herald, 23 November 1897, Page 2

GREAT CONFLAGRATION IN LONDON.

The greatest fire in London since the Tooley street conflagration of August, 1891, when enormous damage was done amongst the wharves and warehouses, occurred on Saturday. The fire originated through a gas explosion in Hamswell street, E. 0 , the centre of an enormous block of manufactories and warehouses. So strong a hold had the fire obtaned and so rapidly did it spread that the firemen were at first powerless to cope with it. Well street, Hamswell street and Jewin street were soon a mass of flames, and the premises comprising these streets were completely destroyed, as also were parts qf Nicholl square, Jewin crescent, Bradford avenue, Wood street and lied Cross street. Much damage was also done to Australian avenue, Edmund place, Monkswell street and Paul's alley. Barber's Hall and St. Giles 1 church and Rectory, Cripplegate, were seriously damaged. Many workmen and girls in the factories and warehouses narrowly [ escaped from death. They franti* I

c'ally rushed into- the streets. Others were rescued from the roofs by fire escapes. Two firemen took refuge on a parapet 60/eet high, surrounded by flames, and they were recued with difficulty. Forty-one engines and all the fire brigades and salvage companies in the metropolis were engaged fighting the flames for 10 hours. There were many narrow escapes but no fatalities. It is reported that the heat and falling debris destroyed the telegraph wires in all directions. The western boundary of the conflagration was Aldersgate street north. Over 100 warehouses and offices were burned. The damage is estimated at £2, 000,000. Goldsmiths Company are the chief holders of the freeholders affected by the fire.