PETERSFIELD.
Agent—G. DUPLOCK
ALARMING FIRE.—A fire, which at one time assumed a very threatening aspect, occurred here on Monday afternoon, on the premises of Mr. James Sturt, wheelwright, &c., in Horn-farm-lane. The workshops and stores comprised a long range of buildings, a portion of which was covered with a chip thatch. Near to this, within five yards, is a forge, where the workmen were engaged in preparing tires for wheels, and it is supposed that a spark from the chimney forge fell upon the thatched roof, and must have been smouldering for some time, as a considerable volume of smoke was issuing from it when first discovered. A number of men immediately set to work, and ladders were reared and water freely thrown on the thatch, which for a time seemed in some degree to subdue the fire, but it was soon found that more energetic measures must be employed, as the flames were seen bursting through the roof in several places. The engines were sent for, and after some delay the smaller one arrived, and later still the larger one. There was an abundant supply of willing hands to work them, and everyone exerted himself to the utmost. Great efforts were made to save the stock of timber, &c., which was of considerable value; but in spite of the most vigorous and courageous efforts, a large portion remained in the building past recovery, and was entirely consumed. The fire commenced about the middle of the roof of the building, and the engines were brought to play upon this spot, so as to prevent its spreading towards the end abutting on the street. At one time it appeared as if an extension in this direction was inevitable; and had the fire reached the front, nothing could have saved the several houses adjoining, and it is impossible to conjecture how far it might have extended. But, by the well-directed efforts of the men, the fire was confined to the northern end of the building. We are sorry to learn that Mr. Sturt was uninsured.
Hampshire Advertiser — Saturday 12 August 1865
ALARMING FIRE.—On Monday afternoon a fearfully threatening fire broke out upon the premises in the occupation of Mr. James Sturt, coach wheelwright, situate in the south-east extremity of this town, and upon which at the time a strong wind was blowing from the north-west. The fire originated from sparks emitted from the chimney of a bond-furnace, then in work, heating tire for wheels, and which was blown near twenty yards, upon the chip thatching of the roof, covering a portion of a long range of building in the northern extremity of the same (the remainder being tiled), and together extending about 117 feet to the workshop at the southern end, abutting on Horn-farm-lane, leading from the High-street to the Heath. In a short space of time, after the sparks fell, the whole of the inflammable covered roof was in a blaze, and communicating with the floors beneath, containing a large quantity of well-seasoned wheeler’s timber, comprising ash planking, felloes, spokes, &c., were consumed. In consequence of a match at cricket between the Liphook and Petersfield Clubs, being at the time played on the Heath, and the close proximity of the fire to the town, large numbers congregated, and plenty of energetic hands were at work, who, having cut off the means of communication, the fire was luckily prevented from extending, and confined to the store above named. The engines, such as they are (after a good deal of running about to find the possessor of the keys of the engine-house) were brought to the scene of conflagration, where, chance characters unpractised in their working, manned the same willing with hearts, which, together with an insufficient supply of water, rendered their services exceedingly inefficient for the requirements needed. Luckily the wind blew the flames over a meadow adjoining, or had it been in an opposite direction nothing could have saved a great extent of property from destruction. The damage done is estimated at £100 in stock alone, and we hear that the property was not insured.