News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime

Murder by Fire: The Notting Hill Tragedy of 1881


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đŸ”„ Murder by Fire: The Notting Hill Tragedy of 1881 | Ep522 | News of the Times

In Victorian London, fire could be a constant threat—but what if the flames were no accident?

On a quiet night in May 1881, a Notting Hill lodging house erupted into an inferno. Six people perished. One couple escaped unharmed—and fully dressed. Suspicion grew. Insurance claims were filed. And whispers turned into a murder trial that gripped the press and shocked the courts.

This gripping case follows William Nash and Anna Maria Wright from the flames of Portobello Road to the dock at the Old Bailey, as Victorian society tried to untangle the difference between misfortune... and murder.

🔍 Join us for a journey into:
Arson and insurance fraud
Victorian housing horrors
Suspicious escape stories
And a final twist that defied even the black cap of Justice Grove

👒 Stay to the end for “Further Particulars,” where a corset becomes the unexpected villain of a separate Victorian demise. Because in 1881, if it wasn’t fire, it was fashion.
đŸ‘€ Hosted by Robin Coles

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🕯 About News of the Times
We are a small (and mildly chaotic) band of history enthusiasts uncovering the darker corners of Britain’s past — no corporate sponsors, no boardroom edits. Just a genuine love of forgotten and wonderful crime.

Expect forgotten headlines, dusty trial transcripts, and the occasional scandal involving

 Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! đŸŽ© https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

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News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crimeBy Robin Coles

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