Last meeting of the Hastings Commissioners. They sold their fire engine to Hastings Council.
High Street Fire
From the Hastings News of 07/08/1857
Fire in the High Street premises of Mr W Pollard, bookbinder.
A new fire engine arrived. It was drawn by two horses, and was called Prince Albert.
Fire Brigade
From the Hastings News of 08/02/1861
The formation of a local fire brigade was being considered.
A meeting of about 50 people took place at the Town Hall at 7pm on 3 July to form the Hastings Volunteer Fire Brigade. This is said to be the first such brigade in Britain (a similar meeting was taking ...
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Fire Brigade Meets
From the Hastings News of 26/07/1861
The fire brigade met on 22 July. It had three sections, of 13 men each; two sections for the Old Town, one for St Leonards. On 2 August, 20 members of the new fire brigade mustered for the first drill.
Fire Escape
From the Hastings News of 23/05/1862
A fire escape had been purchased by the Council for use by the police and fire brigade. Tests had been carried out.
There was a bad fire at 128-133 Marina and the local fire brigade was seriously tested. The damage was estimated at £4,000. A month later, on 12 March, there was a fire at the Russian Baths, West Hill, St Leonards: ...
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The Tivoli windmill belonging to Mr Draper, situated on the turnpike road from Silverhill to St Leonards Green [Sedlescombe Road South], was destroyed by fire.
The St Leonards Green turnpike toll gate and cottage, Sedlescombe Road, were burnt down.
The old corn mill at Bachelors Bump was burnt down. Over-heating was supposed to be the cause of the fire, aided by a strong wind. There was rapid destruction of the building. It was occupied by Messrs A Amoore and ...
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The old Hare and Hounds Inn in Ore village, then let out as apartments, and an adjoining woodshop, once the old Theatre, burned out. It was insured, but the main sufferers were the tenants whose goods were destroyed by the ...
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Fishing Boat Burnt
From the Hastings News of 10/04/1868
The fishing boat John and James, owner Mrs Page of Bourne Street, ran ashore at Bulverhythe, accidentally caught fire from the stove, and burned out. It was 10 tons, nearly new, and valued at £150.
Brewery Burnt Down
From the Hastings News of 18/09/1868
The Eagle Brewery in Courthouse Street, owned by Mills and Sons, was burned down on 15 September. It was next to Burfields Phoenix Brewery. Three engines of the Voluntary Fire Brigade were helped by fishermen and Coastguards.
No7 Beach Cottages was destroyed by a fire started at night by a paraffin lamp. No 6 was badly damaged.
The famous landmark the Fairlight windmill, on the top of Fairlight Down, burned down early in the morning of Wednesday 21 April. The large mill was completely destroyed, along with a large quantity of grain, flour and meal, and three ...
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House Burns Down
From the Hastings News of 26/08/1870
Old Shepherds Cottage, thatched, on 40 acres in Ore Lane was burned down in a fire caused by a boy playing with lucifer matches.
Market Tap, 14 George Street, was destroyed by fire at night, despite two out of three sections of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, about 40 firemen, 25 police and several Coastguards. It was “One of the few old erections remaining in ...
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High Street Fire
From the Hastings News of 29/12/1871
Mr Hill's house, the cabinetmaker and upholsterer, 12 High Street, once the Victoria Tavern, caught fire. It spread rapidly, and was a great danger to old property nearby. The fire brigade had a hydrant immediately opposite the house.
High Street Fire
From the Hastings News of 06/12/1872
Mr Wells, ornamental painter and decorator, 78 High Street, paint and workshop on fire on 30th; the volunteer Fire Brigade put it out. Sgt Glenister and Mr Wells fell through a trapdoor downstairs to the basement.
Serious Fire
From the Hastings News of 07/03/1873
There was a disastrous fire on the premises of Edmund Strickland, cornfactor, opposite the Congregational Chapel in Cambridge Road ]just above Priory Street]. The streets were crowded watching the three fire engines. It was not insured. Had stabling etc at ...
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Pub Burns
From the Hastings News of 27/06/1873
The Cutter Foam tavern at the top of East Hill Passage was burned out on 26 June.
Arson at Pub
From the Hastings News of 08/12/1876
A bad fire occurred at the Carpenters Arms Inn [later known as the Cambridge], in Cambridge Road between Prospect Place and Dorset Place, on 1 December. It was spotted at midnight and soon spread to adjoining shops and workshops, including ...
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Church Burnt Down
From the Hastings News of 29/11/1878
The church of St John the Evangelist in Maze Hill was destroyed by fire on Sunday 24 November. It was proposed to build a new church on the site.
Fire Engines
From the Hastings News of 14/02/1879
A new manual engine had been puchased for the Hastings and St Leonards Fire Brigade. The engine was met at Hastings Station on 8 February by the three sections of the Fire Brigade. The engine will be stationed at Mercatoria, ...
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The Royal Concert Hall in Warrior Gardens opened on 13 October. First called the Warrior Square Opera House and Concert Room, it was for many years the leading centre of entertainment and social function in St Leonards. Many famous artistes ...
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Christmas Day Fire
From the Hastings News of 02/01/1880
There was a serious fire in the High Street on the evening of Christmas Day. The two shops at No 48 (opposite the town hall), selling grocery and shoes, were gutted, and the shops on either side were greatly damaged. ...
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Ore Fire
From the Hastings News of 09/01/1880
There was a fatal fire in Ore on 4 January.
Brassey Fire
From the Hastings News of 13/05/1881
A fire at the Normanhurst mansion, north of Catsfield, home of Mr Brassey, was discovered before too much damage was done.
There was a fire in the grocery shop of Mr EW Rubie in All Saints Street. The warehouse was gutted.
Laundry Destroyed
From the Hastings News of 03/03/1882
A laundry at Alma Terrace, Silverhill, was destroyed by fire.
Farm Arson?
From the Hastings News of 08/09/1882
An extensive fire at Mr Rush's Fishponds Farm, Barley Lane, was attended by Hastings fire engines. Five hay ricks containing over 100 tons of new hay, worth £600, were destroyed. The police were alerted when a farmworker rode by horse ...
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The new telephone system should be used to help fight fires, the Council agreed on 1 December. Councillors agreed to look into installing telephone lines linking the town's various fire and police stations, plus electric bells in the residences of ...
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Ore Fire Brigade?
From the Hastings News of 22/12/1882
There was a plan for a volunteer fire brigade for Ore. A committee was set up to explore the proposal, but the News of 6 April 1883 reported that this had been unsuccessful. A public meeting a few days before ...
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Beauport Park Fire
From the Hastings News of 06/04/1883
A small part of the large house at Beauport Park was destroyed by fire. It was currently occupied by Sir Charles Lamb, who was away at the time.
Fire in Gunmakers
From the Hastings News of 13/04/1883
There was a serious fire in 8 George Street, the premises of Mr Austin, the gunmaker. The fire was in the basement and was difficult to put out, but this was achieved before the gunpowder and fireworks stored there exploded.
The Phoenix Brewery in Courthouse Street, owned by Messrs Burfield, was severely damaged by a major fire on the evening of Sunday 29 July. The fire started around 7pm in the boiler house and neighouring parts of the brewery, which ...
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There was a fire in Courthouse Street, at the rear of the Kings Head Inn.
Castle Street Fire
From the Hastings News of 07/12/1883
There was a fire in Castle Street at the premises of Mr Apps, the butcher, on 3 December. The house was gutted, and adjoining houses badly burned.
The Council was informed that the Chief Superintendent of Hastings Police had just taken formal possession of the new Police Station and Fire Engine House in Bourne Street.
Fires
From the Hastings News of 07/01/1887
Fire destroyed the Roman Catholic church of St Thomas of Canterbury in Magdalen Road on 3 January. There was also a fire at a tailors and outfitters in High Street on 6 January.
Silverhill Fire
From the Hastings News of 11/11/1887
There was a big fire at the Eldridge and Cruttenden's shop at Silverhill, causing damage estimated at £1,300.
Fire Brigade History
From the Hastings Observer of 28/04/1888
A history of the Hastings Fire Brigade was printed in the Observer, page six.
High Street Fire
From the Hastings News of 04/11/1892
There was a serious fire at the workshops of Mr AJ White, basketmaker, of the High Street, on 2 November.
The largest workshops in the town were burnt down in a major fire on Saturday 14 January. The Grosvenor Works lay behind West Marina [today, Bexhill Road] opposite West Marina Station, backing onto Seaside Road. The owner, Peter Jenkins, was ...
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The watch committee recommended to the Council meeting on 5 January that the St Paul's Working Men's Club, on the corner of Bohemia Road and Salisbury Road, should be converted into a police and fire station. A public inquiry was ...
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Stables Burnt Down
From the Hastings News of 25/10/1895
Some stables situated under the cliff at the rear of Caves Road, St Leonards, were destroyed by fire on Saturday 19 October.
Stables Fire
From the Hastings News of 21/02/1896
There was a fire in stables in Wellington Mews, between Stonefield Road and Queens Road, on 17 February.
Harbour Fire
From the Hastings News of 08/10/1897
There was an outbreak of fire at the harbour sheds on Sunday night 3 October. It was restricted to the corrugated iron building used as an enginehouse, which contained oil barrels and other inflammable material. It was completely wrecked.
Ore Fire
From the Hastings News of 11/02/1898
Immediate relief was necessary for sufferers of a fire at Albany Terrace, Ore, on the night of Sunday 6 February.
More Arson
From the Hastings News of 09/09/1898
There was a rick fire at Mr Horsfall's farm at Fairlight on Friday 2 September. It was the supposed work of an incendiary, being the fourth stack fired in the last few weeks. The News of 30 September reported that ...
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Serious Fire
From the Hastings News of 07/10/1898
A large warehouse premises in Cornwallis Street on Friday 30 September was badly damaged in the most serious fire in the town for some time. The premises were used house furnishers Tapner & Woodman, by WF Vidler the plumber and ...
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Golf Club Fire
From the Hastings News of 09/12/1898
The Hastings Golf Club House in Barley Lane was partially destroyed by fire on Tuesday 6 December.
There was a serious fire at 5 Albion Street, Halton, on Saturday 20 May. The butchers and grocers was almost destroyed and neighbouring buildings were damaged. On 28 May there was a big blaze at the rear of 45a George ...
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Farm Arson
From the Hastings News of 09/06/1899
A haystack belonging to John Austin of Mill Farm, Fairlight, was set on fire on Sunday 4 June. It was believed to be work of an incendiary.
Priory Street Fire
From the Hastings News of 25/08/1899
The premises of the Bill Posting Company in Priory Street were destroyed by fire.
Pier Fire
From the Hastings News of 22/09/1899
There was a fire on Hastings Pier on Monday 18 September, with the decking close to the side seats alight. The probable cause was a careless smoker.
Saw Mill Fire
From the Hastings News of 17/11/1899
The workshop of Cllr J Stredwick's steam saw mills was destroyed by fire on Thursday 16 November.
There was a fire at Mrs Catermoles small general shop in Dorset Place, off Cambridge Road.
Chapel Burnt
From the Hastings News of 20/04/1900
The Norman Road Wesleyan Chapel had been destroyed by fire. The News of 17 August reported that the tender of Mr WG Morgan of £4,521 for rebuilding the chapel had been accepted.
Mr Cheale's white windmill, opposite the Wesleyan Chapel on the Ridge, Ore, was completely destroyed by fire on Wednesday 16 May in a spectacular blaze clearly visible from as far away as Silverhill. The smock mill was a well-known landmark, ...
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Workshop Fire
From the Hastings News of 06/07/1900
A carpenters workshop was burnt down on the West Hill on Saturday 30 June.
Pier Fire
From the Hastings News of 20/07/1900
There was an outbreak of fire on Hastings Pier during a concert on Sunday 15 July. The fire was put out promptly, though flames were seen from White Rock Parade.
The slaughter house in Hollington Old Lane was extensively damaged by fire. It belonged to Mr Owens, of Norman Road.
A haystack adjoining Broomgrove Road in Mount Pleasant caught fire. It was extinguished after the hay was severely damaged.
Cycle Shop Gutted
From the Hastings News of 12/10/1900
A cycle shop in Elphinstone Road, on the corner with Queens Road, was completely gutted by fire on Tuesday 9 October. It belonged to Mr Barton. The adjoining greengrocers premises of Mr E Mortimer were also damaged by the fire ...
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Fire at Jenny Lind
From the Hastings News of 24/01/1901
The cellar of the Jenny Lind pub in the High Street caught fire on Wednesday 23 January, but was speedily extinguished, although jars of spirits burst, causing considerable damage.
A fire at Saxon Chambers, London Road, in the offices of architects Messrs Pigott and Oxley destroyed 600 drawings and plans.
A fire caused much damage at the bootmakers shop of Alfred Creed, at 92 Stonefield Road (the first shop on the east side at the junction with Queens Road).
George Street Fire
From the Hastings Mail of 12/04/1902
There was a destructive fire in the Old Curiosity Shop, 3 [?] George Street, owned by Mr Francis Goldman, with £2,500 worth of damage. It was impossible to save Goldman’s premises, with flames advancing over Mr Coote’s estate agency office ...
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A house was gutted at 2 Montpelier Villas, Old London Road (just below Priory Road), residence of Mr W Henderson, a shoemaker, on 20 April.
Hollington Fire
From the Hastings Mail of 03/05/1902
There was a fire at Reuben Foster's blacksmiths and cycle shop at Hollington [131 Battle Road?] on 28 April.
A fatal lamp accident occurred at Pottery Cottages, Silverhill, residence of Mr Tree, chimney sweep on 8 August. Two children were burnt, and Richard Tree, aged nine, died later.
Laundry Fire
From the Hastings Mail of 30/08/1902
The Warrior Square Steam Laundry, in Cross Street, St Leonards, was burnt out on 29 August. Visitors’ linen was destroyed.
Fatal Fire
From the Hastings Mail of 13/09/1902
An inquest was held into the death of Flora Jacobs, fatally burnt in a bedroom at 4 West Ascent.
Horse Suffocates
From the Hastings Mail of 08/11/1902
There was a fire at the rear of Mr Donelly's shop 10 Lower South Road, Bohemia on 5 November. The contents of the stable were destroyed and a horse suffocated.
Tar Mac Trial
From the Hastings Mail of 06/12/1902
A Council meeting on 5 December agreed a road paving experiment: West Street to be laid with tar macadam, at an estimated cost of £100. The Mail of 14 November 1903 reported that on 10 November there was blaze in ...
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There was a fire at Sargood Williams shop in Claremont, and the office in the rear in the occupation of Mr Henry Cousins burnt out. [Cousins was a partner of FJ Parsons, Observer owner, until the mid-1870s, and was author ...
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Fire Ladder
From the Hastings Mail of 17/01/1903
The Council on 16 January agreed to buy a telescopic fire escape, reaching a height of 60 feet, for the West Marina area of the Fire Brigade. The single quote of £94 10s was accepted. An amendment to obtain rival ...
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Haystack Fires
From the Hastings Mail of 08/08/1903
A haystack caught fire on 2 August; it was about 30 tons, belonging to Messrs Padgham and Hutchinson at Silverhill. On 2 September, in a fire at Ridge Farm, St Helens, a 130 ton haystack was damaged. There was a ...
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There was a serious outbreak of fire at Mr TA Noakes, ironmongers and oil merchants in Cambridge Gardens. An immense amount of damage was done.
Council Decisions
From the Hastings Mail of 09/04/1904
At a Council meeting: (1) The cost of buying the Brisco estate fronting on Bohemia and St Margarets Roads was said to be £20,111, and the annual charges for interest etc £873. It was described as a “white elephant”. It ...
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Death of ex-Sergeant Major Frank Dore at his residence, 14 Mercatoria, St Leonards. It was a loss to the fire brigade.
There was an outbreak of fire on 20 May at the office of Messrs Glazier and Sons, auctioneers and house agents, at 1a Havelock Road. There was considerable damage.
The mansion the Grove, Hollington, caught fire. It belonged to Mr AP MacEwen, president of the Hastings and St Leonards Conservative Association. The damage was estimated at £100.
A West Hill villa was partially destroyed by fire on Monday 18 July. Shirley Lodge, 141 Priory Road (opposite Priory Road School) was in the occupancy of Charles Brunning, manager of the Weekly Mail and Times. The roof caught fire ...
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Ore Shop Blaze
From the Hastings Mail of 13/08/1904
There was a serious fire at Ore on 8 August. Flames ravaged the grocers shop and dwelling house occupied by Mr J Harman.
The Hastings public billiard room, in the cellar underneath the Globe Hotel opposite the Town Hall, was wrecked by fire.
A disastrous fire hit Mastin Brothers, the large drapers and general furnish shop at 7-10 Breeds Place, on Friday 9th. Nearly £12,000 of damages was caused. The drapery establishment was partially ruined. There was a narrow escape for girls and ...
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Opening of the new Fire Station at West Marina, the No 8 section of the local volunteer brigade.
Outbreak of fire at Ye Olde House at Home pub, 44 All Saints Street, which gained a good hold and spread to the New Moon pub, No 45, and to 43 All Saints Street. Serious damage was done to the ...
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The fried fish shop at 109 All Saints Street, occupied by Mr J Salmon, was ablaze.
The Mail reported the burning of the steamer Lugano off Hastings. Between 9 and 10 o'clock on Thursday morning (26 April) first news came from a boatman that a large cargo steamer had caught fire and her cargo was blazing ...
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The SS Lugano departed on Saturday 5 May. She was successfully towed out of her bed of sand after eight days lying between the two harbour arms by the three tugs Helios, Sea Adler and Gebr Wrede. She was anchored ...
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There was a big fire at Ore. Mr Goldup's hay and corn stores were burnt out at 105 Winchelsea Road.
A large grocery establishment in London Road was gutted by fire on Monday 4th. The shop at 257 London Road occupied by George Ockenden was totally destroyed by fire. It was in the block between Tower Road and Lower South ...
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There was an outbreak of fire at a motor garage occupied by Mr Stally in Queens Road. He ran a cycle shop at 186 Queens Road.
A mysterious fire took place at the Robertson Street fancy jewellers premises of Mr S Franklin. The shop, No 51d, was destroyed.
Normanhurst Court was to be restored, according to Lord Brassey’s interview with the Mail after the Court was seriously damaged by fire on Sunday 2 August. Normanhurst Court was now in the hands of the builders. The portion that was ...
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John Thomas Dies
From the Hastings Mail of 08/08/1908
Death of John Wesley Thomas, born at Ore 77 years ago. He served his apprenticeship at the Ore Windmill (burnt down a few years since) and carried on business as a miller at the Black Mill (still standing in 1908). ...
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