EXCITING SCENE AT AT FIRE IN LONDON. Gallant Rescue

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 189, 29 January 1887, Page 7

EXCITING SCENE AT AT FIRE IN LONDON. Gallant Rescue

Shortly before one d clock on Tuesday morning, some persona faesing the shop 29, Widegate-street, Biab v London, occupied by Mi d ey, tobacconist, Baw smoke issuing t om between the shutters. A crackling u cc and the bursting of the window |. n iet followed, and flames broke foith. Some ran to the Bishopsgate-street Fire Station, which is distant only a hundred yards or so, while others knocked with all their force at the hall door. Their knocking soon roused the inmates, Mr and Mrs Gray and their father, who endeavoured to come downstairs, but finding that impossible, rushed to the window and called for help. The flamea had, however, by this time burst through the shop front, and their heat compelled the alarsied people to abandon their helpless position at the windowe. This they did desp.te the exhortations of the people who had aspembled outside to ••Wait a minute," and cries of "Here's the fire-escape," The younger people, Mr and Mrs Grey, were able to reach ths top of the house, but Mr Grey s father was compelled to return to tbo window once again. This time, on Mb appearing alone at the second-floor window, the tension among the crowd gathered in the street was intense, as nearly all believed that the young people were lost. The man at the window appealed earnestly for aid, but retained his presence ef mind, notwithstanding every moment seemed to make his escape by any other means than jumping from the window an imposeibility, as the fire ate its way through the house. However, just as the fire had actually attacked the room in which Mr Grey» senior, was, the fire escape from Bishoppgate-streefc was observed coming along as rapidly as it could be pushed. The anxious onlookers in the street shouted the news of its proximity to the almost exhausted man on the window, who was by this time invisible in consequence of the smoke. Many hands were ready to give all the assistance needed to pitch the machine against the window Bill. In a Becond Engineer Hill was ascending towards the window in which Mr Grey was, andsucceeded in reaching him notwithstanding the flame and smoke through which he had to penetrate. On the gallant rescuer touching ground with his man all safe, he yraa received with loud and continued cheering. At this moment the occupant of the adjoining house, Mr Evans, dairyman, informed the firemen that Mr Grey and his wife had escaped over the roof and were in his house. The fire was soon subdued. The following is the official report :— " Called to fire at 29, Widegate-street, Bishopsgate-street, City, at 13.34 a.m. ; premises oFj, Grey,tobacco- ; nist, &c. Damage : Front shop and con- ' tents nearly burnt out, staircase and back room on second floor severely damaged by fire ; reßt of house of six rooms and contents by fire, heat, water, &c, One man rescued and brought down No. 33 fire-escape by Engineer Hill and W. Gordon from second floor."— "English Paper."