PETERSFIELD.
On Tuesday last a fire broke out at Steep, near this town, in a building lately used as a meeting house by the Wesleyan Methodists. Great fears were at first entertained for a barn adjoining the premises, and also for the house occupied by Mr. J. Inwood, the relieving officer; but by dint of great exertions the fire was kept under and prevented from extending beyond the building in which it originated, which was entirely consumed. The premises were in the occupation of a person named Hobbs, a collector of herbs, and we understand the fire was in some way occasioned by the process used in the drying of such herbs. A gentleman who happened to be passing when the fire broke out, drove with all speed into the town for the purpose of dispatching the fire engines, but on enquiring at the engine house he was told by the person entrusted with the key that both engines were out of condition and he did not know who to get to take them out. Surely this is a state of things, which, for the credit of the town ought not to exist.
Hampshire Independent - Saturday 02 September 1848
PETERSFIELD.]—On Tuesday last the little Wesleyan Chapel, at Sheet, near Petersfield, was accidentally burnt down. The supposed cause of the fire was the overheating of an herb-kiln adjoining the Chapel, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Hobbs, herbalist. The property destroyed belonged to C. Greetham, Esq., and is, we are informed, uninsured.
(See also
09-Sep-1848)