2-970-020 - /Heritage Images

The Fire at the Vauxhall Railway Station, seen from Millbank, 1856. 'The moment the plugs of the Lambeth, Vauxhall, and Southwark Companies' mains were drawn, a sufficient supply of water was obtained to set the engines of Price's candleworks, and Messrs. Burnett and Hodges' distillery to work, as well as that of the West of England office, and many of the London Brigade. The station, however, standing upon the top of the line, and being built of wood, and the wind blowing stiffly off the River Thames, the conflagration continued to extend, and at length attacked the houses on the south side of the property.... Our Artist states the best point of view to have been from opposite Colt's pistol manufactory. Looking over the river the fire had a fine effect. Crowds flocked to some high paling at this point where our Artist took his Sketch'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.