Fire at Cottons Wharf, Southwark, 1861

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Fire at Cottons Wharf, Southwark, 1861

Engraving showing the large fire which burnt down Cottons Wharf, Southwark, London, June 1861

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Media ID 4395124

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10220884

Burnt Southwark Wharf

EDITORS COMMENTS
This engraving captures the devastating fire that engulfed Cottons Wharf in Southwark, London, in June 1861. The image, published by ILN (Illustrated London News), shows the extensive damage caused by the blaze, which had been burning for several days. The wharf, located on the south bank of the River Thames, was a hub of import and export activity, with numerous warehouses and ships moored along the waterfront. The fire, which started on the night of June 21, quickly spread from one warehouse to another, fueled by the highly flammable materials stored there. Despite the efforts of the fire brigade and local residents, the blaze continued to rage for over a week, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The historical engraving provides a vivid depiction of the chaos and destruction caused by the fire. The smoke-filled sky is thick with the acrid fumes of burning timber and other materials. The skeletal remains of the warehouse structures are visible, their once sturdy walls reduced to charred ruins. Ships in the foreground are dwarfed by the scale of the disaster, their masts and rigging obscured by the thick smoke. The fire at Cottons Wharf was a significant event in the history of Southwark and London as a whole. It served as a reminder of the risks and challenges posed by the industrial processes and materials of the time, and the importance of fire safety measures. The rebuilding effort that followed the disaster paved the way for the modernization of the wharf and the surrounding area, transforming it into a bustling center of commerce and industry once again.

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