2-982-231 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene of the Late Fatal Explosion of Fireworks at Lambeth, 1858. 'A large order caused extra work, and filled the factory brimful of dangerous missiles...after the men had left, an accident caused all those to explode...Rockets, catherine-wheels, and the more powerful description of fireworks exploded, scattering everything used in the business in all directions, knocking down firemen...the rockets, as they exploded...shot into the premises of Mr. Gibson, and the stock of fireworks in that place also became ignited...the firemen and police hardly knew what to do, for explosions continued to follow each other until everything in each building of an explosive character was totally destroyed...Three hundred persons, it is stated, were injured on the occasion...Madame Coton died on Monday last at Guy's Hospital in most excruciating pain...a memorial addressed to Mr. Walpole, and which prayed that Government would adopt stringent measures to prevent the manufacture of fireworks in or near the public streets, was unanimously adopted...An inquest has been opened on the bodies; and the Coroner, in his address to the jury, pointed out the law, and said that persons keeping firework manufactories which caused death were guilty of manslaughter'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.