2-888-158 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Fire at Parkhurst Prison, Isle of Wight, on Tuesday last, 1850. 'As soon as the alarm was sounded, the juveniles were rescued, and every precaution taken by the officers for their safe custody. So rapid were the flames, that great apprehension was entertained for the safety of those locked up in the further cells, and orders were given for one and all to break open their doors, and the young ones fortunately saved themselves: four or five having a most miraculous escape: most of the boys left their dormitories in a state of nudity; some, however, at the onset saved their clothing and blankets...So great was the heat, that the iron bedsteads (about 200) were all molten into masses...The Lower Prison, in which the fire took place, houses boys between the ages of 15 and 19 years. We are happy to state that no lives have been lost, although some few had a narrow escape'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.