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70
Spring Gardens, S.W.,
Sir 23rd November, 1898.
Referring to previous correspondence on the subject of the removal of the Fire Escape
from Bickley Row, Rotherhithe, I have to inform you that the Council yesterday considered
the report made by the Fire Brigade Committee, and approved the course taken by the
Committee with regard to the arrangements for the protection of life from fire in the
locality.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
C. J. STEWART,
Clerk of the Council.
The Clerk of the Yestry of Rotherhithe.
Town Hall,
Rotherhithe,
Sir, 27th December, 1898.
Referring to the protest of this Vestry against the removal of the Fire Escape from the
neighbourhood of Bickley Row, as expressed in my letters to you upon the subject, and also
by the Deputation which waited upon the Fire Brigade Committee of the Council on the 3rd
November, and to your letters dated respectively 18th and 23rd November, conveying the
decision of the Council to approve the action taken by the Fire Brigade Committee in sub
stituting three ladders 24 feet long (I am informed they are only 19 feet long) for the Fire
Escape which has for so many years stood in the locality of Bickley Row; I am directed by
the Vestry to express their great surprise at what they consider a somewhat arbitrary action
on the part of the Council, inasmuch as the escape in question was practically first removed
and the Vestry notified of the fact afterwards, your letter, dated 20th July, stating the
escape was to be removed on the 27th, thus not only ignoring altogether the opinion of the
Vestry upon the subject, but debarring them from taking any action to prevent the removal
of the Escape. I am also to state that in their opinion the ladders may be a source of danger
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rather than otherwise, as it must be apparent to any one that to escape from a burning
building by means of an ordinary unprotected ladder requires not only great presence of
mind and courage, but skill, qualities which, in the excitement of a conflagration, are sure
to be found wanting in a good many people, but especially in women and children and aged
and infirm persons. I am further to state that, having regard to the very strong views
formed by the Vestry as to the danger of leaving the neighbourhood in question without
better means of protection from fire than 3 ladders, views which have been notified to the
Council both verbally and by letter, they are somewhat at a loss to understand their want
of success in the matter.