2-913-679 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Fire at Cubitt's Building Works, Thames Bank, [London] 1854. 'The [building] had been erected regardless of expense, so as to make the factory throughout substantial, and, if possible, fire-proof. As regards the latter point, the experiment was a failure, although many of the floors were formed of brick and concrete. Every attempt was made to prevent the flames from reaching the engineer works, but without the least success; and at length this building, which was two floors high, and nearly 100 feet long, became also wrapped in flames. In this part of the premises were machinery of every description...including a moulding machine, which cost over £4000; a valuable stocking machine, for cutting stocks in wheels; planing machines, for planing steel and iron; surface lathes, for grinding surfaces to plates of iron and steel; various lathes and drilling machines, which alone cost...nearly £30,000'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.