Friday 8 December 1865, two police officers walking their beat discovered smoke coming from the basement of Compton House. A team of firefighters with a newly purchased steam-powered fire engine began to tackle the fire. Although originally thought to have been an accident an investigation and later hearing at Liverpool assizes found that the fire was purposely started by 20 year old Thomas Henry Sweeting, an apprentice to Messrs Jeffery after accusation of stealing 6 months previously. A confession by Sweeting detailed how he had started the fire.
Friday 8 December 1865, two police officers walking their beat discovered smoke coming from the basement of Compton House. A team of firefighters with a newly purchased steam-powered fire engine began to tackle the fire. Although originally thought to have been an accident an investigation and later hearing at Liverpool assizes found that the fire was purposely started by 20 year old Thomas Henry Sweeting, an apprentice to Messrs Jeffery after accusation of stealing 6 months previously. A confession by Sweeting detailed how he had started the fire by throwing a lit match amongst goods in the building's cellar.
Size: 2460px × 1778px
Location: Liverpool. Merseyside, England
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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