3-011-961 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene of the Great Fire at Limoges, France - from a sketch by our special artist: the public crier announcing the distribution of relief, 1864. 'As soon as the Emperor became acquainted with the calamity at Limoges, his Majesty, with his usual promptitude of action in such emergencies, immediately sent one of his aides-de-camp, the Count Reille, to the scene of devastation, with full powers to act on the Imperial behalf. Material aid was at once afforded to the poor people suddenly become houseless, and the public crier was sent forth to announce that assistance and refuge were open to all the victims of the conflagration...the result of [the fire], according to the official returns, has been the total destruction of 107 houses, situated in the very heart of that old city, and the loss of property amounting to upwards of two hundred thousand pounds...it is a source of congratulation to reflect that no lives were lost, notwithstanding the dangers to which upwards of 2000 persons momentarily without refuge were necessarily exposed'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.