Cotton's Yard after the Tooley Street fire.

Repro ID: H5276

Description: The aftermath of the disastrous Tooley Street Fire in June 1861, when fire broke out in a cargo of jute stored in 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 remaining embers were finally doused.

Creator: 'Illustrated London News'

Date: 6 July 1861

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London