Burning Thames

From Jamaica and Cuba comes sweet, potent rum to London. It is stored in the West India Docks' "Rum Quay" warehouses north of the Isle of Dogs, where the Thames River winds through the flat slums of East London. One night last week a small fire started in a timberyard near "Rum Quay," soon got into the rum. A barrel burst, shot a fan of blue-blazing rum into the air. Soon concussions rocked the warehouse and burning rum ran in flickering blue rivers into the Thames. Blue flame fingered halfway across the Thames. London's brass-hatted firemen came by fireboat and engine. As the rum burnt, its evaporated alcohol made the firemen tipsy. They put on gas masks. All over town Londoners could see the fire's reflection in the sky.

Finally the firemen admitted the rum ($45,000,000 worth) would have to burn itself out. The fire had gotten into the big vats below quay level, turned them into huge alcohol lamps. Watching goggle-eyed, several Londoners fell into the river.

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