THE WORK OF RESCUE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13612, 22 December 1909, Page 7

THE WORK OF RESCUE.

POLITICAL CANDIDATES LEND A HAND.

(Received Derember 22:1(1. 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, December 21. Arding and Hobbs's was a handsome l))(.,k ol buildings having a frontage ot 100 yards, fifty departments and employing CKJO assistant s. The outbreak \':s\*> due to an assistant Lrcakiii:* an electric lamp while getting a comb from a. window filled with celluloid articles. In n few moments the whole place, was blazing customers and assistants screaming and struggling to escape. in Irn mirmtcs the shops were a veritable iurnaee, and owing to the heat further -resell c work had to be abandoneJ. Four were killed whilo leaping from tiir upper floors. The flames made an awr-inspiring spectacle. The copper oii'anientul tower collapsed and set fire to a atorc on the opposite side of tho road. Several drapers' and druggists' .-stores wcro also ignited by the sweeping tfames. The Hon. John Burns, whoso house is within 100 yards of the building destrc3< , 3 d, organised a party to tear down the Venetian masts and festoons of flr.v.-ers erected in the streets in connection with Christmas, and which were carrying the flames across the street. A band of soldiers and sailors was also organised to assist the firemen. Mr Jon.i Burns worked with a sack over his head. His hands were badly blistered. Mr Shirley Kcnn, Unionist candidate for Battersea, and Mr Burus's opponent, also assisted. Forty shops and houses were destroyed, and the damage will possibly run into a million sterling. It is impossible to ascertain tho deaths until the ruins are searched and the roll of the employees is callod.