MR. BASSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that a destructive fire was raging at Chelsea on Tuesday night for forty minutes before any fire engine arrived, though the fire was seen for many miles around?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSIn answer to the first Question, I have to say that as Secretary of State I have no control over the Metropolitan Eire Brigade. That is entirely under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Board of Works; but I have made inquiries, and I am told that the information of the fire was received at the station at 11.23. The first engine arrived at the place of the fire at half-past 11. That is, the engine arrived at one side of the fire. I am told that an engine was not sent round to the other side for some considerable time.