£4,000,000 DAMAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18928, 24 April 1933, Page 7

£4,000,000 DAMAGE.

BIG FIRE IN LONDON. WEST INDIA DOCKS ABLAZE. <9 ■CASCADES OF FLAMING LIQUOR. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, April 22. The biggest and most spectacular fire in London for many years occurred last night in the West India Docks. Vast bonded warehouses in which 3,500,000 gallons of rum were stored in kegs and vats were destroyed. The whole of London was illuminated by the flames and the St. Paul’s Cathedral was silhouetted against the glow, which was seen 30 miles away. Enormous 'crowds of people watched the fire. The flames rose 80ft. into tli6 flip The buildings burned fiercely for five •hours In spite of the efforts of 400 firemen. Cascades of blazing liquor from bursting barrels poured into the dock of the water. and burned furiously on the surface The fumes were so overpowering that the firemen had to work In relays. Finally they used oxygen breathing masks. The damage Is estimated at £4,000,000.

LATER, flames controlled. ADJACENT STORES SAVED. (Official Wireless.) (Received April 24, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, April 23. A large force of firemen using 50 motor pumps and river floats to attack the rum quay fire, rescued hundreds of barrels of rum and prevented the spread of the fire to adjacent stores, ■containing timber, sugar, tobacco, and other produce, No lives were lost.