ALARMING FIRE—A HOUSE BURNT TO THE GROUND

Epsom Fire Brigade (date not known)
Image courtesy of Bourne Hall Museum

The Surrey Advertiser and County Times – 13 November 1869

EWELL

ALARMING FIRE—A HOUSE BURNT TO THE GROUND

A fire of most alarming nature broke shortly after 10 o’clock, on Saturday night last, upon the premises of Captain de Mangle, French Master at Dr Behr’s School, Ewell. The house was situate about half-a-mile from Ewell, on the London Road, opposite  Mr. Butcher’s farm.  It being a thatched roof the fire spread so rapidly that in a comparatively short time the house was burnt to the ground, nothing remaining but the chimneys and walls.

It appears that the fire was first discovered by the servant.  On going upstairs to bed she discovered flames proceeding from the thatched roof of the wash-house, and at once told her master, when an alarm was immediately given. A large number of people were soon round the spot, but the straw composing the thatched roof being very dry, it burnt so quickly that the part of the house was completely destroyed before the arrival of the Epsom fire engine, which reached the place shortly before 11 o’clock. It was at once seen that all efforts to abate the flames would be useless, the exertions of the men were therefore mainly confined to preventing the fire spreading to the stables, which are in close proximity to the house.   Curiously the house was in Ewell parish, whilst the stables are in Cuddington, a boundary stone being placed between the two.

Efficient service was rendered by several persons in saving the furniture from the house, the greater portion of which was got out injured.  One courageous man who was assisting in removing the furniture from one of the front bedrooms had to jump from the window to the ground, a distance of about 20 feet, to escape from the flames which had unexpectedly burst into the room. We are informed that Miss Hards, of West-street  Ewell, who was the owner of the house, is insured with the “Atlas” Fire Office.  Many persons from the surrounding neighbourhood visited the scene of the conflagration on Sunday last, when the embers were still smoldering.  We must not omit to add that the Captain of the Carshalton Fire Brigade arrived at the scene soon after the fire broke out; but upon seeing that the services of the brigade would be of no avail, he at once rode back to prevent them from proceeding any further. The cause the fire in unknown; but is supposed to have originated from a firework having been thrown on the thatched roof, a squib case having been found near the remains.