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LONDON FIRES IN 1841.

914 609

1523

197

404

601

The number of fires still continues to increase. By reference to former reports, it will be scen that last year's fires exceeded, by fifteen, the number of the previous year; being a gross increase of 278 upon the average number of the first seven years' experience of the London Fire Establishment.

The number of false alarms and of alarms arising from chimneys on fire is considerably below the average.

An almost incredible number of fires in chimneys have been attended by the firemen of the establishment; but as they were known at the time to be such, and were only attended accordingly, they are not reported. In several instances where the firemen have been denied admittance, and their proffered services refused, the consequence has been, that the fire has insinuated itself into contact with some combustible part of the building, and the inmates have eventually been obliged to send for the men whose services they before so unwisely rejected.

Of the twenty-four total losses, seven of the fires were so distant from the nearest London engine station, as to preclude all possibility of rescuing the premises in which the fire began. In seven cases, the firemen had to contend against a total deficiency, or very scanty supply of water, which paralyzed their efforts, and rendered their prompt attendance unavailing. In the remaining instances, the total destruction of the premises was attributable either to the highly inflammable nature of their contents, or to their small dimensions, and the head to which the flames had attained before discovered. This class of fires comprised the following:

Jan. 20, 4 A. M. Mr. Wilshire, tallowchandler and melter, Crucifix-lane, Bermondsey. This fire, which commenced in the manufactory, had made great progress in its ravages before it was discovered. A strong muster of firemen and engines were quickly on the spot, but the supply of water was for a long time exceedingly scanty, and the manufactory and stable were destroyed;

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a better supply of water being ultimately obtained, enabled the firemen to rescue the dwelling-house, shop, and five other buildings to which the flames had communicated.

January 29, A. M. Mr. Budd, chandler, North-street, Whitechapel-road. This was a small one-story house, which was destroyed before the engines could be brought to bear upon it. The two adjoining buildings, to which the fire had extended, were, however, preserved, with but little damage. February 1, 8 P. M. Mr. Steire, cabinetmaker and upholsterer, Kew Horse-road, Richmond. This fire commenced in the workshops, which were consumed; but the dwelling-house and two adjacent buildings were preserved, with but little injury, although the nearest London engine station is 10 miles distant.

February 2, 104 a. M. Messrs. Painter and Co.'s furniture-warehouse, Finsburyplace, North. These premises were constructed in a very peculiar manner, having in the centre of the interior an opening upwards, surmounted by a dome, which from the basement to the roof displayed a number of galleries; the premises formerly belonged to Mr. Lackington, the celebrated bookseller, and during his occupancy, one of the royal mail-coaches was driven, (four-inhand,) round the circular counter which occupied the space beneath the dome: this feat was repeated a few years ago, by Alexander, of Chiswell-street, for a wager of 2001. At the time stated, flames suddenly burst forth from the third floor, which comprised showrooms filled with upholstery, bedding, &c. A number of workmen who were employed upon the premises strove for a time to suppress the flames; but finding their efforts unavailing, and the fire spreading with great rapidity, they retreated to the lower floors, and commenced removing some of the most valuable of their contents. In the mean time, messengers having conveyed intelligence of the fire to the several engine stations, a strong muster of men and engines were soon in attendance. The first, from the Whitecross-street station, and one from Messrs. Whitbread's brewery, were on the spot within a quarter of an hour after the alarm was given, and these were rapidly followed by engines from the other stations, as well as those belonging to the West of England and County Fire Offices, which were got into operation as quickly as possible. The construction of the premises and the highly combustible nature of their contents, however, caused the flames to rage with a fury that was altogether irresistible; by eleven o'clock the fire presented a truly awful appearance, the immense building, from the ground to the roof, with a frontage of nearly 100 feet, was one mass of flames

which raged half way across this wide street, the heat igniting ten of the houses on the opposite side. The fire soon communicated to the buildings on either side of those belonging to Messrs. Painter, and it seemed uncertain where the work of destruction would be stayed; soon after half-past eleven, however, the roof of Messrs. Painter's premises fell in with a tremendous crash, and considerably damped the fire, which temporary check was taken such good advantage of by the firemen, that in an hour after, all fear of further damage was at an end. Throughout the day the frost was most intense, and many of the firemen suffered severely from the cold. Notwithstanding the number of hours they were engaged, and the extraordinary difficulties under which they laboured, they never flagged until the fire was completely subdued. No less than 17 buildings were more or less damaged by this fire, the origin of which was never satisfactorily explained.

February 7, 11 P.M. Camberwell Old Church. This venerable fabric, some portions of which are nearly 1100 years old, was discovered to be on fire by a police constable, P 29, who, seeing a light in the organ gallery, sent information thereof to the inspector at the station-house, who, supposing robbers were in the church, sent a serjeant and two constables to secure them. In the mean time, the flames bursting forth from the tower, at once revealed the real character of the intruder. The parish engine was got out, but no water was forthcoming to make it available, and messengers were dispatched to town for the engines; but the "illumined sky" foreheralded their message, and the brigade engines from Waterloo-road, and Southwark-bridge-road, closely followed by the West of England, were soon on the spot, and were quickly succeeded by several others. A small pond of water being discovered in an adjoining field, one of the brigade engines was drawn up to it, and made to supply a second, which was placed intermediately and brought to bear upon the fire; but this supply was so small, as to be exhausted almost as soon as the engines got into full play. The West of England engine was judiciously placed at a plug in the Grove, and its hose was led through the house of Mrs. Hutton, who kindly consented to this arrangement, after her less liberal neighbours had refused a passage. Upwards of five hundred feet of leather hose was attached to this engine, and after a delay of nearly two hours a supply of water from the Vauxhall main at length issued from the plug, and was brought to bear upon the burning pile. One of the brigade engines ultimately took up a similar position, and joined its efforts towards cooling

the ruins. It appears, that the stove which heated the church was situated under the north entrance, its chimney, or flue, extending to the flooring in the centre of the middle aisle, and thence through the south side of the organ-loft to the top of the tower; the end of one of the principal beams that supported the organ-loft, had evidently projected into the centre of the fiue, and it is supposed that soot having from time to time been deposited upon it, had been ignited on Sunday morning and set fire to the beam, which burned slowly until it reached the wainscoting of theorgan-loft, when it burst into flames.

"Then sighed a shadowy sound

From the high loft where organ pipes were glowing

In the red fire, a golden radiance throwing On the wide wreck around. "Passing away! away!'

Breathed those stupendous diapasons, mourning

Each for his fall; as of the tempest warning, Winds sigh at close of day.

"Then came a wondrous sight!

Mitres, and robes, and shrouds of marble, glimmered

Or, argent, azure, sanguine, purpure, shimmered

E'en in the depth of night!

"Then round the finialed spire Curled a bright flame, o'er tabernacle fretted, Licking the ancient dust in groins carvetted, Through that majestic choir."

The

The appearance of the church by the time the engines from town reached the spot, was awfully sublime, and will never be forgotten, "while memory hold its seat," by any of those who witnessed the spectacle. night was moonlight, and very frosty. The distance (three miles) and the water being two hours late, prevented the firemen from saving more than a small portion of the chancel, in which a happy couple were united in the "silken bonds of wedlock" on the following morning.

February 16, 34 A.M. Mr. Hyde, butcher, 112, Bermondsey-street. This fire, which originated from some unascertained cause, had attained a great head before its existence was discovered, and soon after its outbreak the whole of the building was on fire from top to bottom. The firemen with their engines were promptly on the spot, but their exertions were paralyzed (as is almost always the case in this locality) for want of water; upwards of three-quarters of an hour elapsed before any was obtained (and then the supply was scanty) from the Southwark mains. By great efforts the firemen preserved the back kitchen, slaughter-house, and live stock unscathed.

LONDON FIRES IN 1841.

April 7, 84 A.M. Mr. Turner, floor-cloth and table-cover manufactory, Myddletonstreet, St. John-street-road. These premises, which occupied an area of considerable dimensions between Myddleton-street and Lloyd's-row, consisted of three brick buildings-the factory, the japan and store rooms, and another building of similar dimensions, used as a drying house. The workmen had returned from breakfast at half past 8 o'clock, when every thing seemed to be safe, but they had scarcely resumed their labours when a cry was raised that the japan roofs were on fire: from this part of the building the work of destruction extended with such extraordinary rapidity, that within an hour the workshops and stables were levelled with the ground. The Farringdon-street, Holborn, and other engines were promptly on the spot, and a plentiful supply of water being obtained, by half-past 10 o'clock the fire was completely subdued, but not until the whole of Mr. Turner's premises had been destroyed, and seventeen of the surrounding buildings more or less injured.

June 8, 4 A.M. Astley's Amphitheatre, Westminster-bridge-road. On the 8th of March this property had a narrow escape from destruction in consequence of an escape of gas, by which the flooring and joisting was scorched in a cellar under the stage, and there is every reason to believe that a similar accident upon this occasion led to the destruction of the building. At the time stated, police constable Cotterell, of the L division, who was passing down Stangate-street, observed smoke issuing from the roof of the theatre, and immediately ran to the stage-door, and knocked up Howell, a fireman belonging to the West of England Fire Office, who was retained nightly on the premises. On proceeding together into the theatre, they found a great body of fire raging beneath the stage; Howell seized the branch-pipe of a firepump which was placed at one corner of the stage, and begged Cotterell to work the pump: from some cause or other his request was not attended to, and being overpowered by the heat and smoke, Howell was obliged to drop the branch-pipe and make his escape. Within a few minutes after the alarm was given, the West of England engine, and that from the brigade station in Waterloo-road reached the spot, and in less than a quarterof-an-hour at least half-a-dozen powerful engines were stationed around the burning premises, ready for action as soon as water could be procured. Mr. Ducrow's house was only separated from the theatre by a slight partition, the sleeping rooms being on the second floor, over the box and pit entrances.

By dint of great exertions, the beautiful stud (with the exception of two horses and

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an ass) were saved. By 5 o'clock the whole of the theatre was one mass of livid flame, and presented an appearance resembling a mighty furnace. The attention of the firemen was directed to the preservation, if possible, of Mr. Ducrow's dwelling-house, as well as the numerous buildings which abutted all round the theatre, and their exertions were ultimately crowned with well-deserved success. The flames being vigorously opposed on all sides, the work of destruction was confined to the theatre; the surrounding buildings, to the number of twenty-five, being more or less injured, but none very seriously.

June 21, 34 A.M. Messrs. Harris and Billiter's oil warehouses, Mazepond, Southwark. This fire, which originated from some unknown cause, had gained a great head before it was discovered, and when it burst forth, from the highly inflammable nature of the stock, which was very heavy, it raged with a fury that defied all opposition. A strong force of firemen and engines were soon on the spot, but for three quarters of an hour no water could be obtained; the fire spread rapidly in all directions, and the extensive premises of Messrs. Fisher and Sons, leather-dressers, as well as those in which the fire commenced, were entirely destroyed. Water being ultimately obtained, the fire was stopped, but in addition to the foregoing, twenty-four buildings were more or less damaged.

July 2, 11 P.M. Mr. Reilly, chairmaker, Quicksett-row, New-road, Marylebone. From the quantity of small timber on the premises, the flames spread with the utmost rapidity; the dwelling-house being destroyed, and the workshops very seriously damaged.

July 10, 3 P.M. Mr. Nott, builder, High-street, Deptford. This fire commenced in the workshops in the rear of the timber-yard, through the shavings having ignited. The workmen endeavoured in vain to subdue the fire, and were compelled to retreat, the flames rapidly extending to the timber-yard, thence to the dwelling-house, and to several of those adjoining. A special train on the Greenwich railway brought intelligence to the brigade stations in town, from whence engines were immediately despatched, but before they could possibly reach the spot (four miles distant) Mr. Nott's premises were destroyed, and five other buildings on fire. Upwards of half-an-hour elapsed before water could be obtained, when a supply at length being procured from the Lewisham mains, the London and local engines were got to work, and succeeded in extinguishing the fire; three buildings being consumed, and eight more or less injured.

August 11, 14 A.M. Mr. Waller, private dwelling-house, situate on the summit of the

hill, in the Grove, Blackheath. This extensive building was discovered to be on fire by police constable R, 199, who, with great difficulty, aroused the inmates to a sense of their danger; they were, however, by great exertions, got out in safety. The flames, which illuminated the heavens, soon put the London engines in motion, and that from Southwark-bridge-road, which travelled the distance (five miles) in twenty minutes, was the first to arrive, and was received with loud cheering from the persons assembled. Unfortunately, however, it was too late to save any portion of Mr. Waller's premises, which were one body of flames, but water being obtained, the firemen stopped the fire in the adjoining premises, to which it had communicated.

August 30, 3 A.M. Messrs. Cock and Son, plumbers, painters, and glaziers, Groveroad, Mile End-road. This fire commenced in a small timber building, used as a twostall stable, the loft over it being filled with oil, paint, &c., which was entirely destroyed before the arrival of the firemen.

September 12, 9 P.M. Mr. Salmon, fruiterer, 86, Piccadilly. When first discovered by some passers-by in the street, the fire seemed to be confined to the centre part of the building, but spread with such rapidity, that before the inhabitants of the adjacent houses could be acquainted with their danger, the flames burst up through the roof, illumi nating the neighbourhood, and within a quarter-of-an-hour the building was wholly enveloped in flames. A strong force of men and engines from the County, West of England, and the brigade stations promptly reached the spot, and water being obtained, they succeeded before eleven o'clock in arresting the progress of the flames. Soon after this time a party of four firemen entered the partially gutted house to extinguish some remaining fire, which showed at the back, when the roof and party wall fell, burying West and Weaver of the County fire-office, in the ruins; the former was killed upon the spot, but the latter, after a delay of five hours, was got out alive, but seriously injured. The origin of this fire was supposed to be not accidental, but it remains to this day involved in mystery.

September 18, A.M. Mr. Driscoll's lodging-house, Prussian island, Old Gravellane, Wapping. The fire commenced from some unknown cause in the lower part of this house (a very small one of timber), and the inmates escaped with the utmost difficulty. The building was completely destroyed, but six others, to which the fire had extended, were preserved by the timely arrival and prompt exertions of the firemen.

October 11, 34 A.M. Mr. Merry, cheesemonger, High-street, Newington Butts. This

disastrous fire originated in the shop, and had gained such an ascendancy when discovered, as to cut off the retreat of the inmates, which consisted of Mr. Merry, his brother, mother, and a female servant. The two former escaped from the first-floor windows, but the two latter fell victims to the conflagration. The rapid progress of the flames, and the slight character of the building, caused it to fall in less than three quarters of an hour after the discovery of the fire.

October 4, 1A M. Messrs. Daily and Co... leather-dressers, Bermondseystreet. This fire originated at the back of Messrs. Daily's premises. In a few minutes after the alarm was given, the flames extended to a workshop, and thence to Messrs. Daily's dwelling, the inmates of which had barely time to escape by the roof. The firemen and engines were soon

on the spot, but no water could be obtained for some time, and the flames communicated to the patent felt manufactory of Mr. Abbott, next door. In about a quarter of an hour a scanty supply of water was obtained from the Southwark plugs, and a few engines being got into operation, the fire was stopped; Messrs. Daily's premises being completely destroyed, and six adjoining buildings slightly damaged.

October 27, 10 P.M. Mr. Clitheroe, firework-maker, John-street, Bethnal-green. This house had not been long on fire before a quantity of gunpowder exploded, and blew down the building.

October 30, 10 P.M. Small gun armoury, Tower of London. This fire, the most important during the year, appears to have been seen as early as nine o'clock, when a light was observed in the Bowyer tower, but as it almost instantly disappeared, no notice was taken of it; smoke was seen to issue from this part of the building by other parties shortly before ten o'clock. It was not until a quarter before eleven, however, that the appearances assumed such an unquestionable shape, as to lead to the alarm of fire being raised.

"The Cybele of cities stands veiled with the night,

But why are the turrets that crown her so bright?

Those halls which for ages were silent and cold,

Shine forth as when lit for some banquet of old.

But what mean the thunders which peal on the breeze?

Ah! surely no sounds of the revel are these ;

The tower hath a guest, though in silence

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LONDON FIRES IN 1841.

The astounding intelligence spread rapidly, and engines from various stations were soon assembled at the Tower gates, but admission was for some time denied them. Meantime the garrison having been roused, the Tower engines (six in number) were turned out; but they were in no condition to meet the exigencies of the case, and orders were subsequently given to admit those which were assembled at the western gate. These were immediately drawn up in the broad walk opposite the principal entrance of the Armoury, and the firemen led their hose up the grand staircase, with a view of proceeding to the roof commanding the Round Tower, to which the fire was still confined. In consequence of the great excitemeat and confusion which prevailed, however, the firemen could not ascertain the mode of access to that part, and in the interin, the small quantity of water in the tanks was exhausted.

Soon after eleven o'clock, the destruction of the Round Tower was complete, and the flames had penetrated into the roof of the Armoury. Two of the brigade engines in front of the building being supplied with water by others placed near the river, their respective engineers entered the Armoury with their branches, and directed their jets upon the ceiling wherever the fire showed itself. After maintaining this position for nearly half an hour, part of the ceiling fell, and exhibited the roof completely enveloped in fire; upon this the firemen retreated, and had scarcely left the room, when the whole of the ceiling fell down. Although a gallant stand was attempted to be made, it was soon apparent that the fate of this building was sealed, and the attention of the firemen and others became directed to the preservation of the White Tower, the church of St. Peter, and the Map-office, all of which were at this time in great danger.

By about half-past eleven o'clock, an awful but magnificent spectacle presented itself to the eyes of a countless multitude, who had assembled on Tower Hill:

"With terror and tumult from hovel and hall

They come, for one beacon hath summoned them all,

The far-seen and fire-crested summit, whose glow

Falls fearfully bright on the city below."

The splendid Armoury throughout its vast extent poured forth volumes of flame, the light of which was reflected from surrounding objets through a thick hozy atmosphere with dazzling refulgence. By twelve o'clock, the conflagration had reached a frightful magnitude, flames were gushing forth from every window of the Armoury, and the heat

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became so intense, that it was impossible to stand on the broad walk between the Armoury and the White Tower.

The Map-office, which was the corner house on the east side of the square, was fired in the roof by the intensity of the heat, and it was evident that if the flames were not arrested at this point, the consequences would be awful.

The land engines were by this time for the most part placed hors de combat for want of water, but the floating engine having arrived from Southwark Bridge, this powerful auxiliary was brought to bear upon the jeopardized buildings with the best effect; the hose being led up to the top of the building, the roof was soon cooled by the drenching columns of water poured upon it, and the fire about the window frames, &c., having been extinguished by buckets of water applied from within, the progress of the flames in this direction was completely stayed. This done, the hose of the floating engine was shifted round to the rear of the armoury, where the Old Mill Barracks and the dwelling-houses in the Mint were now in considerable danger. The floating engine from Rotherhithe having subsequently arrived, it was set to work to cool the burning ruins of the Armoury, and to the presence of these powerful auxiliaries the preservation of the remaining portion of the Tower is mainly attributable. In consequence of the continual rise of the ground from the river, these engines worked at a great disadvantage; the labour to the men was excessive, and the works of the engines and hose were exposed to an enormous strain, while the jet of water thrown from the branch-pipe was powerless in the extreme. Perhaps the legitimate use of these powerful machines under such circumstances is to furnish a supply of water to other engines placed nearer to the fire, so as to be capable of being brought to bear with full effect upon any point that may be required.

By five o'clock, the extent of the conflagration was defined, and all apprehension of further danger was at an end, but the heat within the Armoury walls was so great, as to make it necessary to keep several engines in full work, and in the discharge of this duty one of the brigade firemen (Richard Wivill) lost his life. It appears he was standing a short distance from the Armoury-wall, holding the branch pipe of an engine, when a large mass of brickwork fell, and striking the door way rebounded on to Wivill's head, killing him on the spot. With the exception of Wright (one of the County firemen) who had his arm and some of his ribs broken, this was the only serious accident that occurred.

A lengthened investigation into every circumstance connected with this fire, took

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