3-003-681 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Fire in Southwark: view from Cotton's Yard, showing the spot where Mr. Braidwood was killed, 1861. 'The fire is still burning with considerable power in the lower part of what was lately Cotton's Wharf, and the adjoining portion of the ruins. Last Saturday evening the flames and smoke burst forth with great force, and at ten o'clock an explosion took place, causing considerable alarm. The wind having shifted, the smoke was blown direct over the houses in Tooley-street...At eleven o'clock on Sunday morning an immense body of flame forced its way upwards from the vaults...and created much alarm, owing to the high wind prevailing and the direction in which it was blown. The steam-float was brought to bear upon the body of fire, and after about an hour succeeded in reducing it within its former limit. Towards evening, however, it again broke out, but was again brought under control. At twelve o'clock it had again attained the ascendancy, and was distinctly seen from the various bridges in the metropolis. Experiments with the fire-annihilator have been made upon the ruins, but have not succeeded in extinguishing any of the immense bodies of fire pursuing their destructive course amongst the vaults and cellarage.' From "Illustrated London News", 1861.