LONDON FIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 29 June 1939, Page 7

LONDON FIRE

BIGGEST SINCE 1897 PRESS SUGGESTION OF I.R.A RESPONSIBILITY IV PA—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright’ LONDON, 28th June. The Barbican fire is the biggest since the Cripplegate fire in 1897. The “Daily Mail” suggests that arson by the Irish Republican Army is responsible for the Barbican fire. BLAZE AT ISLINGTON LONDON, 28th June. Firemen who had worked all night at the Barbican fire were called this morning to a chocolate factory in Islington, where an outbreak destroyed the upper floors. Three loud explosions drove the nearby .esidents from their homes. At first it was feared to be a bomb outrage, but later it w'as believed to be due to a gas explosion. The Cripplegate fire in London covered over four acres, of which two and a half acres was completely burnt out. It began in the premises of Waller and Brown, Well street. Cripplegate. at 12.50 p-m. on 19th November, 1897, and though no lives were lost, the estimated losses were enormous. They were set down at c bout £2.000,000. The insurance claims paid were over £1.000,000 ?l e n r 100 warehouses were destroyed. 4000 people were thrown out of work, end a relief fund was opened for them the verdict at the inquiry into the fire was that it was due to "wilful ignition of goods by some person or persons unknown.” ANOTHER 810 BLAZE (Received 291 b June. 10.30 a m.) LONDON, 28th June Another big city fire in the danger zone occurred this afternoon in a five S reef "l?, 1 ' 6 ' 1 ™ 515 in Upper Thames street flames spread with amazing rapidity, and firemen were forced to on Eavins neigh “* SEVEN BUILDINGS DESTROYED three persons injured (Received 29th June. 12.40 a.m.) LONDON, 28th June Hie Barbican street fire, in three hours, destroyed seven buildings and damaged eight others, mostly ware houses which were filled with inflammabie materials. The whole of New Zealand Avenue was destroyed onlv skeletons standing. The damage is estimated at £1.000.000. It is believed that no lives were lost out three persons were injured while escaping.