Last night was disastrous, for the number of fires that
occurred in the metropolis—now fewer than six. On of them was at Mr. Seymour's, a rope-maker, in the ominous quarter Pudding Lane ; but the most des- tructive was that which has destroyed St. Olave's church, and many other buildings. It broke out at the house of Mr. Ward, an oil-ware- houseman, in Tooley Street, Southwark, about two hours after midnight. Fire engines were on the spot in a quarter of an hour ; but the spread of the flames could not be checked. Topping's wharf, on the bank of the Thames, took fire—then the church, and immediately afterwards some old warehouses near it—then Watson's Telegraph, an old shot- manufactory. When the strength of the fire was subdued, at eight o'clock, the devastation extended to Penning's wharf; which was but little damaged ; Scovell's wharf was burnt down ; and several of the surrounding buildings were much scorched. The church had the bare walls left standing. The loss is guessed at 50,0001. During the time of trouble, the Lord Mayor was on the spot, with Mr. Braidwood, the Superintendent of the Fi-e Brigade, and other gentlemen ; and at every favourable point of view, crowds of people collected to view the con- flagration.
A very singular scene occurred in St. Olave's Church. At nine o'clock two bridal parties presented themselves, and two couples were actually married, while the gallery was still burning.
Some burning wood fell on the house of Mr. Jones, a teadealer in High Street ; and the house was much injured. Hitherto we meet with no loss of life ; but it is otherwise with a fire in Fetter Lane ; occasioned by an explosion, at half-past three o'clock, in the house of Mr. Newberry, a chemist and firework-maker. The shop front was blown out, and the house was instantly wrapped in flames. When people ran to the place, they found Mr. Newberry lying in the shop, insensible. Presently a wooden legged gentleman threw himself out of a third floor window, and lay as if dead. He was Mr. Rose, a lodger ; and his wife, with her two sisters, who slept on the first floor, perished in the burning house. The engines being tardy in consequence of having been called to other fires; and the house was quite destroyed. The force of the explosion was such, that a chest of drawers was carried through the back wall of the house, to the end of Bartlett's buildings, a distance of fifty yards. The adjoining houses were a good deal damaged. Mr. Newberry has since died; and Mr. Rose is not expected to recover.,
Previous page
