Heard of the Great Fire of London? What about the Great Fire of Sunderland?
Few Wearsiders realise that Sunderland had its own Great Fire in 1898.
It ended with 48 businesses being destroyed, gutted or seriously damaged.
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Hide AdIt was just after 10pm on Monday, July 18, 1898, when it started in the Havelock House store, on the corner of Fawcett Street and High Street West across the road from Mackie’s Corner.
The conditions were pretty much perfect for a blaze. It was a very windy night which caused the fire to quickly progress into a raging inferno and spread to adjoining buildings.
Once the alarm was raised, panic broke out and the Royal Theatre in Bedford Street had to be quickly evacuated.
Crowds gathered to watch the efforts made to contain the flames.
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Hide AdThe fire was finally brought under control early on Tuesday morning and the full extent of the damage was seen.
The whole corner of Fawcett Street had been completely destroyed along with a large section of High Street West and the north end of John Street.
The damage count showed 11 premises in Fawcett Street, 22 shops and offices in John Street, 12 business premises in High Street West and 3 shops in John Street were all completely gutted.
Mackie’s Corner had survived whilst all around its neighbouring premises were burning.
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Hide AdThe damage was estimated at £400,000 when the total rateable value of the town was around £500,000. A large portion was covered by insurance but there was a severe general loss.
Rebuilding took place and a new Havelock House store was reconstructed.
Risdons, on the corner of John Street was also included in the rebuilding and the drapers, Caslaw, Hayter and Tate opened in premises between the store and Risdons.
The rebuilt Havelock House department store remained in business until 1915 when the premises were altered to become a cinema – named ‘The Havelock’.
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Hide AdThe report comes to the Sunderland Echo thanks to the excellent help of Philip Curtis and the team at the Sunderland Antiquarian Society.