Middlesex to wit

The Information of George Birks Lamp< no role > lighter
taken on Oaths before me this first
day of April 1788.

Who being upon Oath saith that being at Saint Anns
Watch house Westminster about half past two o Clock on Monday
Morning the 24th. day of March last he heard the alarm of a Fire which he soon understood
to be in Little Pulteney< no role > Street where he immediately went. That
upon coming to the House of Daniel Clarey< no role > now present he perceived the Smoke issuing
thro the window Shutters of the Shop Window. That the Window
Shutters were soon broke down as Informant believes by one of his
Fellow Servants with an Iron Crow when Informant perceived
the Fire was in a room adjoining. That as soon as the Shutters
were broken down he went into the Shop thro the Window and
opened the Door of the Room where the Fire was but upon the
Door being opened the Flames were so violent and the Fire
so strong that he could not go into the Room but was obliged
to retire & get of the Shop as fast as he could That there
was no Goods whatever in the Shop Except a few Paste boards
and Pattern Cards in the Window And is very certain that
he must have seen them if there had been any as he
went into the Shop purposely to find out where the Fire
and to save what Property he could, That after he came
out