Fire in Mary Street.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3495, 8 March 1880, Page 2

Fire in Mary Street.

The... quiet of the Sabbath morn was disturbed yesterday by the fire bells clanging forth their warning that the; demon fire was at work. The victim this-, time vi as a dwelling at the corner of Mary and and Baillee streets owned and occupied by Mr Aitken, dispenser at the hospital. Tije-Shortland,Fireßrißade were promptly on ihe spot, and had their hose on to the wafer main in a very short time, the? superintendent, Mr Hollis, directing the efforts of his men with promptness and judgment; It.was found, however:, after a time that it.would: be impossible to save the building, the fire having got too good a hold of the upper portion of the building ; but the.effpcts of tsis water prevailing, the fire not spreading a^ rapidly <»s it otherwise would, enabled the by stand'ers to take a great portion of the furniture and: effects out of the burning dwelling. The origin of the fire is a mystery, and it appears to have .first taken "hold of. the upper portion of the house, the persons who first saw the smoke and flames stating that they apupaied to proceed Jrom bi 1 near the roof. Mr Aitken states that on Ssturd.ay evening after tea, when all fire was -extinguished,, himself and Mrs Ailken proceeded to the Hospital, and were not again in the house. .The firemen of both brigades worked well, and used their best endeavours to save the building end prevent the flames spreading. The premises with the contents were insured iv the Norwich Union for £200. ,