FIRE IN LONDON

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10311, 11 August 1911, Page 5

FIRE IN LONDON

CARLTON HOTEL DESTROYED.

SENSATIONAL ESCAPES. (Received August 10, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, August 9. A sensational fire broke out in the upper stories of the Carlton.Hotel. The servants escaped by means of ladders. The entire fire brigade was called out to prevent the names spreading to His Majesty's Theatre. The fire originated in a shaft of the kitchen lift, and quickly involved three of the upper floors and the roof. Being dinner-time, the hotel was crowded with wealthy American and foreign visitors. Many who were dressing for dinner, .and some who were having baths, escaped in various stages of attire. A number of servants and guests, ' who were cut off from escape, came to the upper windows and raised cries. They were rescued with ladders. Others were lowered by ropes to an adjoining'roof. Within half an hour the flames had a great hold of the upper part of the | huge building. J Two hundred and fifty firemen, ' twenty-five steamers, and a, dozen ' ladders were soon on the scene. While the firemen were exploring the building and attending the hoses, the public assisted in removing the furniture and luggage, a quantity of costly things being piled on the pavement. One charred body was found on the upper floor. It was identified as that of an American actor named Finnin Some of the firemen were overcome and had to be taken to the hospital. A huge crowd was attracted, including Mr Winston Churchill. Some of ...the spectators boo-hooed Mr Churchill, and cried: "What are you doing here?" The estimated damage is £30,000. His Majesty's Theatre was damaged [ by water.