1888 : Mr Pluckrose Helps to Extinguish a Fire

Source: The Ipswich Journal, 8,955
Date:  14 January 1888
Place:  Colchester

COLCHESTER

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN OSBORNE-STREET.

An alarming outbreak of fire, resulting in a considerable destruction of property, occurred shortly before one o’clock on Friday morning (13 January 1888) in Osborne-street, Colchester. About half an hour after midnight P.C. Goby noticed a red glare in the southern quarter of the town, about midway between the Camp and the Barracks. He at once gave the alarm at the Borough Police Station, and Inspectur Buen instantly despatched messengers to call the turncocks and members of both Fire Brigades. It was found that a large wooden building, used as a workshop by Mr. George Farren, and situated amongst a congeries of small dwelling-houses, was burning fiercely, and, attracted by the deep red glow in the sky, people came hurrying up in all directions.

The Essex and Suffolk Fire Brigade, under Conductor Jennings, and the Volunteer Fire Brigade, under Capt. Howe, rapidly assembled, and fixed their hose to hydrants in Osborne-street. There was a good supply of water, and the firemen were able to get to work without delay. The building, well stored with inflammable materials, was by this time sending up dense clouds of smoke, lit by huge tongues of flame that leapt to a great height, whilst the crackling of battens and deals, and the fall of burning beams increased the alarm of the residents in the surrounding houses. Before the arrival of the Brigades a number of men, under the direction of the Rev. Pierrepoint Edwards, curate of St. Giles, rendered good service by dashing buckets of water over the gable ends of the cottages in Stanwell-street, which were in close proximity to the blazing mass, whilst at the Osborne-street approach two men, named Pluckrose and Webb, removed a quantity of battens from the lower floor of the building. A raised platform, extending from the upper floor of the burning workshop to the back of the house occupied by Mr. Farren, served as an excellent vantage point for the firemen, and from thence strong jets of water were soon directed on the flames. Meanwhile the fire had been observed from the Camp and Barracks, and a squadron of the 12th Lancers, in charge of Lieut. Hines, manned an engine, and dragged it from the Cavalry Barracks at a run, a loud outburst of cheering and shouting heralding their approach to the scene of action. The Lancers got to work with a will, stationing their engine alongside the pump in Stanwell-street, and rendering valuable aid. About this time an incident occurred which reflects great credit on the humanity of the men engaged in subduing the fire. The flames were at their fiercest, when a sharp yelp was heard from within the workshop, and it was found that a dog, which was said to have followed a lancer into the burning building, had somehow been left there, and was likely to be burnt to death. After a brief argument as to the relative value of a dog under the circumstances, somebody rushed into the workshop and extricated the terrified animal, which was half stifled and somewhat singed, but otherwise seemed little the worse for its adventure. Soon afterwards a part of one of the walls crashed down, carrying with it a mass of blazing timber. The steady jets of water directed by the men of both the fire brigades and by the military, soon told upon the fire, and the sparkling tracery of the ruined workshop soon faded, until only a mass of blackened beams and joists was visible. The Lancers then marched back to quarters, the firemen remaining until all danger of a renewed outbreak was over. The Head Constable (Mr. R. O. Coombs) with Inspector Buen, Sergeants Collins and Lilley, and a number of the Borough Police were present throughout the affair, and rendered valuable assistance. The premises were insured in the Essex and Suffolk Fire Office.

 

| Search & Site Map | Contact me: | ©2013 Derrick Porter