Repro ID: H6396
Title: The Tooley Street fire.
Description: A dramatic 'Illustrated London News' depiction of the Tooley Street fire, which broke out on 23 June 1861.
The fire started in consignment of jute stored at Scovell's warehouse at Cotton's Wharf. This was the biggest of all the peacetime fires in the port: it raged for two days and destroyed most of the nearby buildings. It was the greatest test of the new London Fire Engine Establishment. The whole force was mobilised to fight the blaze, including its head, James Braidwood, who was killed when a wall fell on him. It was a full two weeks before the remaining embers were finally doused.
Creator: Illustrated London News
Date: 29 June 1861
Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London
