A BIG BLAZE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1940, 24 December 1913, Page 5

A BIG BLAZE.

FIRE IN THE WEST END OF LONDON. THRILLING RESCUES. By Toksrtflh—Pi'csj Association—OsDTiialit ; London, December 22, _ Tho largest lire in tlio Wcst KIIII sinca tho Carlton Hotel firo broke out in tho Park Mansions, Flats at Kniglitsbridgo early in tho morning. Tho inmates of the flats were aroused by shouts from onlookers in tho street. Thro© maidservants in their nightdresses took refuge on tho roof. ■ The occupants of tho sixth floor were rescued by means of ladders, A charred body was found in the ruins. . '. A fire-man climbed ladders for two hundred foot, and the screaming women threatened to jump unless they wore rescued immediately. I'inally they were rescued 0110 at a. time over the swaying ladder, whilst tho two upper stories blazed furiously. ■" A waiter died through returning to secure, his money. A housemaid stated that while escaping down a corridor, ■ through suffocating smoke, sho heard Edwards, the waiter, stumble, lie was helpless, and fiho dragged him until tlio flames and smoke became overpowering, and she was obliged to leave him. Tho firemen made heroic efforts in scaling tho building, holding tlw spectators spellbound.