Hay stack fire (1847)

Post date: Aug 14, 2018 11:50:17 AM

Extract from South Eastern gazette of 23 November 1847:

WATERINGBURY. —On Thursday last, at about one o’clock,

a stack of hay belonging to Mr. Walter, of Tutsham farm,

West Farleigh, was discovered to be on fire.

The stack was near the Waterlngbury railway station,

on the Yaldlng side of the river. It contained about forty tons,

of which it is supposed about fifteen tons were saved.

An alarm was immediately given, and fire engine belonging

to Alderman Lucas was shortly on the spot, and plenty of help given.

The engine from Mereworth came very quickly, but too late to be of

any great service. It it not known how the fire originated.

Too much praise cannot be given to those men who assisted,

and we hear Mr. Walter was very liberal in rewarding them.