A BIG BLAZE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 25, 9 August 1887, Page 2

A BIG BLAZE.

£780,000 DAMAGE SO FAR.—STILL BURNING.

1,200 EMPLOYES OUT OF A BILLET. DISTINGUISHED FIREMEN. London, August 27. The most disastrous fire which has devastated London for the last ten years, broke out shortly after nine o’clock on Saturday on the premises, of Mr William Whiteley, the Bayswater. The fire occurred through an >• Universal provider,” in Westbourne Grove, explosion of gas in the .boot and shoe depart, ment, and spread thence to the drapery department Which has a frontage of 420 feet to Westbourn Grove. Fire engines from all over the metropolis Were summoned by telephone, and by 10.10 over 54 steam and manual engines were at work. Captain Shaw, the Superintendent of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was in full charge, aided by 400 firemen and hundreds of volunteers. Thousands of people from all parts of London were present, a large proportion remaining at the scene of the conflagration until late yesterday morning. Since the fire tit the Pantechicon in Upper Oxford street, no such fire has occurred in the metropolis. Latbb. At 11 a.m. to-day the fire at Whiteley's still defied the efforts of the Brigade. A detatchment of soldiers from the Knight's bridge barracks, and over 300 oi the Metropolitan police are engaged preventing the enormous crowds of spectators from interfering with the work of the firemen. The whole of the immense block of buildings, extending over nine acres of ground have been almost completely gutted. The estimated damage, as far as can be estimated, is over £780,000. Several honorary members of the Metropolitan Brigade, including the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sutherland and others, were present. '.Chis is the second time Whiteley has been burnt out. Laizst, August 8, 1.80 p.m. The fire at Whiteley’s is now almost extinguished. The damage done is enormous, several serious accidents are reported. Over 1,200 people are deprived of employment by the conflagration.