Shortly before three o'clock yesterday morning a fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Whichelow, leather manufacturer and furrier, Russell-place, Russell-street, Bermondsey. The fire was not known till a portion of the premises, consisting of three floors, was fairly alight. Before the firemen commenced operations, another building had caught fire, and, together with that in which the outbreak originated, soon fell in. Although there were five steamers and one manual engine at work, the fire attacked a third building. Eight of the houses in Maltby-street were in danger, and the backs of some of them took fire, and the sheds in the yards were alight. The stabling of Mr. Blocher was destroyed, and some further damage was done before the progress of the fire could be stopped. The firemen continued their labours for about three hours. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained. The damage sustained by Mr. Whichelow is thus reported by Captain Shaw: "A brick and timber building of three floors, about 60ft. by 12ft., and a timber shed building of one floor, 50ft. by 30ft., burned out and fallen down; and a building of three floors, about 50ft. by 30ft., top floor nearly burnt out, and most of the roof off; drying room slightly damaged by fire; rest of buildings and contents by fire, heat, and water; all adjoining and communicating." Mr. Whichelow was insured in the Northern, and the buildings in the North British and Merchantile Offices. In most other instances insurance had been affected.
Source: Daily News (London, England), Wednesday, October 22, 1879; Issue 10455.