TERRIBLE FIRE IN LONDON,

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2504, 28 July 1888, Page 6 (Supplement)

TERRIBLE FIRE IN LONDON,

Five Women Burned to Death.

A fire broke out at about half-past six on Wednesday, May 30th, on the premises of Messrs Garronld, milliners and drapers, Edgware-road, London, and was attendod with most lamentable and fatal consequences. An unusual light was first discovered by a passing constable in the bottom portion of the premises, and he immediately raised an alarm : but the flames spread through the building with such rapidity that before the engines and escapes eould arrive several of the assistants—of whom there are a very large number employed by the firm leaped from the windows above the shop into the roadway, and saved themselves in this way. A number, however, were injured eithor by leaping from the windows or by being scorched by tho flames, and Alice Buttifant, Annie Webb, Jane Fletcher and Jane Bowrie were conveyed to the Hospital. The engines meanwhilo arrived in rapid succession, and commenced to play upon the burning mass, and the excitement was intensified by the knowledge that some assistants were still in the building and could not possibly be saved. At last, at about eight o'clock, the firemen, by their strenuous exertioni, so far subdued the flames that they were able to enter the building, and it was then discovered that no less that five unfortunate persons had lost their lives. Their names nre: Agnes Hyland, 24, of I Cold Harbourlane, Camberwell; Mrs Anna Glew, caretaker, and her niece, Mary Glew, aged 20 ; Margaret Perry, 20, of Carlton Road, Manor Park, London ; and Emma Margaret Edwards, 35 of Twerton-on-Avon, near Bath. The firemen continued to poar water upon the premises until twelve o'clock, but the building was completely gutted, and the loss is estimated at £GO,OO~O. Thin, however, is covered by insurance. It is supposed that those who lost their lives might have escaped, but they endeavoured to save some of their property, as each lady, when found, was clutching at a watch, or come other article of value. Aocording to the latest accounts, it is alleged that the fire brigades are to some extent responsible for the loss of life. It is however, explained that at the time of the outbreak—6.ls a.m.—the fire escape which is kept throughout the night at Marylebone-road had been withdrawn to Paddington-green, where it remains during the day, it being the practice to withdraw tho escapes at. 6 a.m. during the summer months. The withdrawal of the fire escapes from their stations in the early rooming necessitates the employment of at least two firemen to each escape, and consequently many men who would otherwise have been prepared to turn eut with the engines were away, and the unfortunate circumstance is that at the time of the outbreak the police were being withdrawn from night duty, and reliefs were on their way, so that at the moment the police arrangements were disorganised. The return of the persons who slept on the premises on Tuesday night, furnished by one of the principals, shows that the occupants consisted of twenty-five young ■women, all drapers' assistants, fifteen yonng men, seven servants, six or seven porters, the housekeeper, and her niece, making in all fifty-five persons. The official return shows that five persons were killed and five injured, but others also were injured in their efforts to escape, although their injuries did not necessitate their removal to the hospital. A fund has been opened for the relief of the sufferers. Lord Randolph Churchill, whose Town residence is near the scene of the conflagration, and Mr John Aird, M.P., head the list of subscribers with £50 each. Funds are stated to be urgently needed.