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The ladies were first aroused by a stench from the burning woollens below and after much difficulty succeeded in awakening the boys in the adjoining apartment.  They then ascended to the flat roof of the building and gave an alarm that the lad was also then doing in the street supposing that a chimney was on fire.  Police Constable Crosoer and a private watchman attended immediately and the former entering the house with the boy proceeded to the upper apartments where the ladies were, without observing any direct appearance of fire. On descending however the melting of the paint and turpentine on the doors of the lower rooms proved where the devastating element was at work and before they left the house, the stairs were on fire. The ladies were thus rescued and conveyed in their nightdresses covered with the police capes and watch coats to the Paris Hotel and the boys were next placed in safety.  This was the work of a moment and the neighbours having assembled the shop door on being struck two or three times flew open. A body of flame instantly rushed out and extended nearly half way across the wide street. The flames completely seared the paint and letters on the houses at the opposite side.  Magnus soon afterwards arrived and showing great excitement made a frantic attempt to rush into the burning mass in which he was presented by the officers but not until he had suffered severely in his face and hands.

The engines now arrived in rapid succession but those belonging to the Town notwithstanding the palavers held on the state they ought to be in the meetings of the Pavement Board were found to be miserably defective.  Those however from the Castle, Heights, Ordnance and Harbour departments were in excellent condition and speedily put into beneficial application.  The water fortunately was kept up in the inner harbour and the vessels being moved from the Commercial Quay into the rear of the premises. Three of the engines were placed there with self-supplying hoses in the water. Some of the inhabitants, soldiers of the Rifle Brigade and the Royal Artillery manfully worked these.  The barrack engine in superior order was worked by the Artillerymen under the command of Major Stopford in a manner so truly scientific and effective as excited the admiration of every one whom witnessed it. This prevented an example well worthy the imitation of those to whom the management of the town engine is confided.

The number of spectators was comparatively few but there was no lack of willing hands to render the requisite assistant and we could name several persons, were it not that we wish to avoid individual distinction where all seemed equally ready to preserve their neighbours property from destruction.  Still we must accord the palm to the officers and soldiers of the garrison whose conduct on the occasion was meritorious in the highest degree.  It is also but justice to notice that the sergeants and constables of the police drew the first engine brought on the spot assisted by the Mayor and other individuals.

By two o’clock the roof and floors of the buildings were completely destroyed and the burning beams and rafters still threatened the destruction of the neighbouring houses, and the partition walls of that adjoining building occupied by Mr. Thorpe butcher were burnt through in different places.  The house of Mr. Knight on the Commercial Quay, into which the flames frequently burst, was saved only by the immense body of water forced through it. That of Mr. Hall, Silversmith, though separated by the narrow alley was certainly preserved by the temerity of those friends who placed themselves on the roof.

The occupants of other houses in the removal of furniture sustained much injury. We regret to add that Mrs. and Miss. Lawrence the ladies before mentioned as occupying the principal apartments which they had done for a considerable time are sufferers to a serious amount in cash, jewels, plate, valuable paintings, wardrobe and furniture non of which were insured.  The tithe deeds of their property and other legal documents also fell a prey to the flames.  A small part of the remains of the parchment was found on the top of the smoking ruins yesterday morning.

The house, which belonged to Mr. W. H. Payn, was insured in the Guardian Office, but not to its full value. Mr. Magnus at the time of the fire stated that his stock was not insured.  Since the arrival of his brothers however who are said to be principles in the concern it is understood to have been insured by them for £500 in the Globe, which it is added, was about half its value.  The agent of that officer in Dover who was not previously aware of the fact has consequently placed the ruins in charge of the police and nothing is allowed to be moved until the orders of the directors are received.  There are different causes assigned for the origin of the fire.  With these however we can have nothing to do either are we aware whether it be correct or not, as has been stated that the lights were left burning in the shop.  The hour of calamity is doubtless that in which the human mind should least feel disposed to indulge in fanciful but so splendid was the scene at times displayed by the reflection of the flames that few could refrain from its contemplation.  The roof of the building being timber thickly covered with tarred paper. The conflagration threw out a volume of light that illuminated the whole of cliffs above the town, the shops in the harbour, in the bay, the new houses on the Waterloo Crescent, and the Esplanade in a splendid manner. This which contrasting with the lurid glare of the clouds above produced to use an oft repeated appropriate phrase an effect at once and sublime.  As the day broke the flames were subdued and the apprehended extension of the devouring element to the adjoining premises providentially prevented.  This happy result we must gain attribute in a great degree to the prompt assistance rendered by the heads of the public departments and the officers and troops of the garrison and in offering the thanks of the town to them.  We feel conscious of expression the sentiments not only of the Chief Magistrate and the whole of the authorities but also those of the inhabitants in general. (May 1837)