3-046-916 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene of the fire at Kentish-Town Station, [London], 1872. 'Beneath the station, which was an ordinary wooden structure, were several arches, which had been let out...and the fire broke out in one of these shortly after nine o'clock. The whole line of the railway in that neighbourhood is inclosed by dwelling-houses, and the arches in question did not abut upon any thoroughfare. This circumstance may account for the fact that the fire was not discovered until the flames were seen rising from an opening at the side of one of the arches...an alarm was raised at the station of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade...and at half-past nine a manual engine from that station, with three men, set out. Most of the platform had by that time taken fire, and as the flames from the arches spread on each side the whole station, with its waiting-rooms, signal-boxes...was soon enveloped and burnt down...a number of engines, with about fifty men...were in attendance...There was a good supply of water from the New River...By the efforts of the firemen, the lower part of the station, containing the booking-office and some other rooms, and several houses surrounding the fire, which were for some time in jeopardy, were saved from any serious injury'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.