Post by Leofwine on Nov 1, 2010 14:39:40 GMT
As today is the centenary of the event I thought I'd post this article about a big fire at the Lord Nelson Public House, Wood Street, Brompton, on the 1st November 1910.
From the Chatham, Rochester, and Gillingham News, Saturday, November 5, 1910
BIG BLAZE AT BROMPTON.
- - - - - -
THE “LORD NELSON” DESTROYED.
- - - - - -
FIGHTING WITH FLAMES IN A FURIOUS GALE.
- - - - - -
A FIREMAN IN JEOPARDY.
Fire! Fire!! Thus the cry broke on the ears of Police-constable Gleed in the small hours of Tuesday Morning last, when he was on duty in Old Brompton, and the constable noted dense volumes of blinding smoke pouring from the upstairs windows in front of the Lord Nelson public-house in Wood-street. The Lord Nelson, which was totally destroyed, was a famous old house, and was formerly tenanted by the late Mr. Matthew Coleman. Mr. James Farley, who was in possession at the time of the outbreak, has been landlord since Mr. Coleman gave up the house.
It was about 2.45 a.m. that the attention of Police-constable Gleed was called to the condition of the Lord Nelson, and he immediately the alarm and rang up Gillingham Fire Brigade; but it was thought, owing to the gale that was raging, the telephone wires came into contact with each other, and in consequence only four of the brigade received a message – Captain Plewis, Firemen Harris, Read and Ellender – but they were on the scene in a remarkably short space of time, having run all the way from the fire station. The police kept ringing the rest of the brigade up, but they could get no response so they went round and knocked each man up. They also had to find out the address of the driver and rouse him; so that with one thing and another, it must have been quite half-past four before the brigade with their hose cart, escape and paraphernalia arrived in Wood-street.
In the meantime the constable, who was first on the scene, had acted with commendable promptitude. He went round to the back of the premises, where the fire seems to have originated, and here he found the potman at an upper window frantically shouting “Fire! Fire.” He then rushed across to the sub station, which is quite handy to the scene of the conflagration and procured a ladder to help the inmates out. While he was away the potman must have aroused Mr. Farley (they were the only two people in the house), and presumably they made good their escape by a rope from the window to the tiles beneath and so to the ground. The constable got the hose-reel out and soon had a strong jet of water playing on the front of the building. About three o’clock some fifty Royal Engineers arrived on the scene, and they and the firemen and the constable, who were already there, had got the fire fairly under control by the time the Fire Brigade arrived. The immediate vicinity was alarmed, and up and out of doors, and a squad of Royal Engineers with fixed bayonets kept people from getting too near. The whole of the men in Brompton Barracks were called out onto the parade, and stopped there in case of emergency. “If it had not been for the Royal Engineers, there is no telling to what extent the fire might have spread.” So Captain Plewis told a “News” representative.
As soon as the Captain arrived he took charge of the work. He saw at once there was no chance of saving the Lord Nelson, it being old with plenty of wood in its construction, and consequently burned furiously so he turned his attention to the saving of the properties on both sides. The wind was blowing a strong gale from the north-west, and the roof of No. 49, the next-door house, a corn factor’s shop belonging to Messers. Joshua Driver and Son, quickly took fire. The flames penetrated through into the bedroom and the room of No. 45 also took fire. At one point it looked as though the whole street was in danger of being enveloped, so furiously did the wind drive the licking flames about. It was only the smart work of the brigade that effectually put a stop to the fire spreading.
It was an awe inspiring scene: the howling of the wind, the roaring of the flames, and the hard light they cast about on the perspiring firemen and soldiers, and the eager and sometimes frightened faces of the onlookers.
Just before the arrival of the brigade, the roof of the doomed building fell in with a terrific crash, and closely following this, large portions in the front wall rattled and tumbled down into the street, and the plate glass windows smashed with a report like a cannon as soon as the force of the water touched them.
Fireman Harris, going into the burning building, was overcome by smoke, and had it not been for the promptness with which Engineer Smitherman rushed in and pulled him out, it is quite probable that he might have been asphyxiated. The unfortunate man afterwards fell down inside the house and bruised his ribs to such an extent that a doctor has ordered him to go on the sick list.
The high wind kept fanning the sparks into life so that it was almost seven o’clock before all danger was passed, and the fire brigade were able to leave.
When the roof of Messers. Driver and Son’s shop took fire a fatigue party of Sappers quickly got all the furniture out of the house and into the street; but it came on to rain hard, so it was taken into an adjoining warehouse. Messers. Copper’s vans were, as a matter of precaution, removed from a shed near the burning building.
Altogether considerable damage was done. That to the Lord Nelson, which is covered by insurance in the Alliance Fire Office, is estimated at some £1,500. Roughly speaking, the damage to all three houses is put at £1,700.
The Lord Nelson belonged to Messer. Frederick Leney and Sons, Limited, of the Phoenix Brewery, Wateringbury.
The members of the Fire Brigade present were Capt. Plewis, Lieuts. Peddle and Cooke, Engineers Bines and Smitherman, and Firemen Ellenden, Read, Harris, Hillesley, and Baker. The police gave great help, those present being Inspector Blackwell, Sergeant Barnard, and P.c.’s Gleed, Hopper, Basson, Jacobs and Martin.
Messers. Harold, Bertram, and Frederick Copper rendered valuable service. Living near, they were early on the scene and worked hard on supplementing the efforts of Police-constable Gleed. On the hose cart being got out of the sub-station, Mr. H. Copper assisted the officer in managing the hose and getting a stream of water directed into the fire, while his brothers telephoned to the Gillingham police station, and communicated with the Royal Engineers. It looked at one time as if the cottages at the back of the inn would become involved, and Mr. H. Copper took two children in their night attire to a house beyond the danger zone. These initial efforts, coupled with the good work of the Royal Engineers, undoubtedly had much to do with the success in localising the fire. A large body of Royal Engineers was held in readiness in the barracks square in case any need for their assistance should arise.
Sadly, I have no pictures of the Lord Nelson as it was before the fire, but it was rebuilt soon afterwards and continued trading until 1936. It later became Charles Waldron's Second Hand/Pawn Shop. In the early 21st century it was incorporated into a new housing development ("Boleyn Court").
The pub as it is today.
This article also led to a follow-up article about one of the firemen getting married, plus a couple of letters to the editor in the same issue:
TWO FIREMEN JOIN THE BENEDICTS.
There was a Fireman’s Wedding on the day following the fire, Fireman E. C. Read taking to the altar of Gillingham Church Miss Violet Daisy Rose. It was quite a fireman’s event, for the best man was Fireman Thompson, and as the bride and bridegroom left the ancient church they passed under an archway of raised hatchets, held aloft by members of the brigade, who were in charge of Captain Plewis. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. Read entertained a large party at the Masonic Temple in Park-road, which had been tastefully decorated by the fireman. – On the previous Monday Fireman H. Duggan, tobacconist and newsagent, of Canterbury-street, was married to Miss Lily Austen, of Gillingham. The marriage, in compliance with the wish of the bride and bride-groom, was of a quiet character.
RECENT FIRES.
-------------------------------------------------------------
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL.
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, - Permit me to call your attention to the recent conflagrations that have occurred in the borough, and in connection therewith to point out that we are not up-to-date with our fire-fighting appliances. I refer to the means of transport of the Fire Brigade from the fire station to the seat of the fire. It is, of course, well known to yourselves that a contractor undertakes to supply the horses as required, and that the horses are stabled some little distance from the station, and the process of getting the horses attached to the fire engine ready to set out is by no means a speedy one.
I suggest, for your consideration that the method is obsolete, unsatisfactory and discouraging to the brigade. It is not altogether uncommon that a considerable time elapses between the “call” and the arrival of the horses; and perhaps a climax was reached when a fire broke this morning at the Lord Nelson, Wood Street, Brompton, when no less than one-and-a-half hours were required before the horses were obtained. Now it is so easy to raise derisive cheers upon the late arrival of a brigade, and sso difficult to remember the reason of the delay. I have recently been an eye-witness to three fires at Brompton, and I have no hesitation in saying that your most sincere and enthusiastic thanks are due to the Royal Engineers for their very splendid services on each occasion.
I hope to see such thanks publically expressed. This morning (with a very high wind prevailing) the fine efforts of the R.E.’s prevented a large area from becoming a raging furnace.
Now, gentlemen, cannot the ratepayers hope for some more efficient method of transit of the brigade. I am placing no blame on any person in the delay of the arrival of the horses, but the system is wrong. I hava a close and intimate knowledge of the fire brigade, and having served on its committee, I am more than proud of the high state of efficiency of the men – hence my plea – whilst the esprit de corps is very commendable.
Surely with such efficiency and goodwill at our disposal, nothing but the best appliances is sufficient.
The first few minutes are all-important. Horses on the spot, or a motor-driven vehicle are desirable.
Loss of life and damage to property can be saved by prompt action! People escaped from the burning building this morning by sliding down a rope! I sincerely trust, gentlemen, that you will strengthen this weak spot. Money spent in such a direction is well spent.
In conclusion I would add my word of praise to the members of the Metropolitan Police, H.M. Dockyard, and to the local parties for their excellent services at the recent fire, which I have personally witnessed
The subject of this letter is sufficient praise for our own brigades, as the only praise they seek, is the conciousness of a smart “stop” –
Yours respectfully,
W. W. T. BARNETT.
November 1st, 1910.
-------------------------------------------------------------
TO THE EDITOR
Sir, - I believe every resident in Old Brompton will heartily endorse an expression of high appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the Royal Engineers Fire Party, who, in such a very prompt and smart manner, turned out to the fire at the Lord Nelson, from which the two occupants only just managed to escape in their night attire, and so prevented a much more extensive destruction of property. This was the most serious outbreak of fire that has occurred here for some years, and it is a great consolation to the inhabitants of the town to know that they have, at such a close hand, such an efficient fire brigade as the Royal Engineers proved themselves to be. Upon their appearance at the first alarm, they were informed that their appliances were useless for the hydrants. But, nothing daunted, they immediately returned to barracks, and in a few minutes had a hose over the wall opposite to the scene of the conflagration with a fine force of water, so that the fire was soon got under control. It is impossible to praise them too highly for the valuable services they thus rendered to the inhabitants of that part of our populous district at a time of extreme danger.
The fact that our local fire brigade did not arrive until some considerable time after the call had been given needs, I think, some explanation. – Yours truly.
OLD BROMPTONIAN
November 2nd.
From the Chatham, Rochester, and Gillingham News, Saturday, November 5, 1910
BIG BLAZE AT BROMPTON.
- - - - - -
THE “LORD NELSON” DESTROYED.
- - - - - -
FIGHTING WITH FLAMES IN A FURIOUS GALE.
- - - - - -
A FIREMAN IN JEOPARDY.
Fire! Fire!! Thus the cry broke on the ears of Police-constable Gleed in the small hours of Tuesday Morning last, when he was on duty in Old Brompton, and the constable noted dense volumes of blinding smoke pouring from the upstairs windows in front of the Lord Nelson public-house in Wood-street. The Lord Nelson, which was totally destroyed, was a famous old house, and was formerly tenanted by the late Mr. Matthew Coleman. Mr. James Farley, who was in possession at the time of the outbreak, has been landlord since Mr. Coleman gave up the house.
It was about 2.45 a.m. that the attention of Police-constable Gleed was called to the condition of the Lord Nelson, and he immediately the alarm and rang up Gillingham Fire Brigade; but it was thought, owing to the gale that was raging, the telephone wires came into contact with each other, and in consequence only four of the brigade received a message – Captain Plewis, Firemen Harris, Read and Ellender – but they were on the scene in a remarkably short space of time, having run all the way from the fire station. The police kept ringing the rest of the brigade up, but they could get no response so they went round and knocked each man up. They also had to find out the address of the driver and rouse him; so that with one thing and another, it must have been quite half-past four before the brigade with their hose cart, escape and paraphernalia arrived in Wood-street.
In the meantime the constable, who was first on the scene, had acted with commendable promptitude. He went round to the back of the premises, where the fire seems to have originated, and here he found the potman at an upper window frantically shouting “Fire! Fire.” He then rushed across to the sub station, which is quite handy to the scene of the conflagration and procured a ladder to help the inmates out. While he was away the potman must have aroused Mr. Farley (they were the only two people in the house), and presumably they made good their escape by a rope from the window to the tiles beneath and so to the ground. The constable got the hose-reel out and soon had a strong jet of water playing on the front of the building. About three o’clock some fifty Royal Engineers arrived on the scene, and they and the firemen and the constable, who were already there, had got the fire fairly under control by the time the Fire Brigade arrived. The immediate vicinity was alarmed, and up and out of doors, and a squad of Royal Engineers with fixed bayonets kept people from getting too near. The whole of the men in Brompton Barracks were called out onto the parade, and stopped there in case of emergency. “If it had not been for the Royal Engineers, there is no telling to what extent the fire might have spread.” So Captain Plewis told a “News” representative.
As soon as the Captain arrived he took charge of the work. He saw at once there was no chance of saving the Lord Nelson, it being old with plenty of wood in its construction, and consequently burned furiously so he turned his attention to the saving of the properties on both sides. The wind was blowing a strong gale from the north-west, and the roof of No. 49, the next-door house, a corn factor’s shop belonging to Messers. Joshua Driver and Son, quickly took fire. The flames penetrated through into the bedroom and the room of No. 45 also took fire. At one point it looked as though the whole street was in danger of being enveloped, so furiously did the wind drive the licking flames about. It was only the smart work of the brigade that effectually put a stop to the fire spreading.
It was an awe inspiring scene: the howling of the wind, the roaring of the flames, and the hard light they cast about on the perspiring firemen and soldiers, and the eager and sometimes frightened faces of the onlookers.
Just before the arrival of the brigade, the roof of the doomed building fell in with a terrific crash, and closely following this, large portions in the front wall rattled and tumbled down into the street, and the plate glass windows smashed with a report like a cannon as soon as the force of the water touched them.
Fireman Harris, going into the burning building, was overcome by smoke, and had it not been for the promptness with which Engineer Smitherman rushed in and pulled him out, it is quite probable that he might have been asphyxiated. The unfortunate man afterwards fell down inside the house and bruised his ribs to such an extent that a doctor has ordered him to go on the sick list.
The high wind kept fanning the sparks into life so that it was almost seven o’clock before all danger was passed, and the fire brigade were able to leave.
When the roof of Messers. Driver and Son’s shop took fire a fatigue party of Sappers quickly got all the furniture out of the house and into the street; but it came on to rain hard, so it was taken into an adjoining warehouse. Messers. Copper’s vans were, as a matter of precaution, removed from a shed near the burning building.
Altogether considerable damage was done. That to the Lord Nelson, which is covered by insurance in the Alliance Fire Office, is estimated at some £1,500. Roughly speaking, the damage to all three houses is put at £1,700.
The Lord Nelson belonged to Messer. Frederick Leney and Sons, Limited, of the Phoenix Brewery, Wateringbury.
The members of the Fire Brigade present were Capt. Plewis, Lieuts. Peddle and Cooke, Engineers Bines and Smitherman, and Firemen Ellenden, Read, Harris, Hillesley, and Baker. The police gave great help, those present being Inspector Blackwell, Sergeant Barnard, and P.c.’s Gleed, Hopper, Basson, Jacobs and Martin.
Messers. Harold, Bertram, and Frederick Copper rendered valuable service. Living near, they were early on the scene and worked hard on supplementing the efforts of Police-constable Gleed. On the hose cart being got out of the sub-station, Mr. H. Copper assisted the officer in managing the hose and getting a stream of water directed into the fire, while his brothers telephoned to the Gillingham police station, and communicated with the Royal Engineers. It looked at one time as if the cottages at the back of the inn would become involved, and Mr. H. Copper took two children in their night attire to a house beyond the danger zone. These initial efforts, coupled with the good work of the Royal Engineers, undoubtedly had much to do with the success in localising the fire. A large body of Royal Engineers was held in readiness in the barracks square in case any need for their assistance should arise.
Sadly, I have no pictures of the Lord Nelson as it was before the fire, but it was rebuilt soon afterwards and continued trading until 1936. It later became Charles Waldron's Second Hand/Pawn Shop. In the early 21st century it was incorporated into a new housing development ("Boleyn Court").
The pub as it is today.
This article also led to a follow-up article about one of the firemen getting married, plus a couple of letters to the editor in the same issue:
TWO FIREMEN JOIN THE BENEDICTS.
There was a Fireman’s Wedding on the day following the fire, Fireman E. C. Read taking to the altar of Gillingham Church Miss Violet Daisy Rose. It was quite a fireman’s event, for the best man was Fireman Thompson, and as the bride and bridegroom left the ancient church they passed under an archway of raised hatchets, held aloft by members of the brigade, who were in charge of Captain Plewis. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. Read entertained a large party at the Masonic Temple in Park-road, which had been tastefully decorated by the fireman. – On the previous Monday Fireman H. Duggan, tobacconist and newsagent, of Canterbury-street, was married to Miss Lily Austen, of Gillingham. The marriage, in compliance with the wish of the bride and bride-groom, was of a quiet character.
RECENT FIRES.
-------------------------------------------------------------
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL.
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, - Permit me to call your attention to the recent conflagrations that have occurred in the borough, and in connection therewith to point out that we are not up-to-date with our fire-fighting appliances. I refer to the means of transport of the Fire Brigade from the fire station to the seat of the fire. It is, of course, well known to yourselves that a contractor undertakes to supply the horses as required, and that the horses are stabled some little distance from the station, and the process of getting the horses attached to the fire engine ready to set out is by no means a speedy one.
I suggest, for your consideration that the method is obsolete, unsatisfactory and discouraging to the brigade. It is not altogether uncommon that a considerable time elapses between the “call” and the arrival of the horses; and perhaps a climax was reached when a fire broke this morning at the Lord Nelson, Wood Street, Brompton, when no less than one-and-a-half hours were required before the horses were obtained. Now it is so easy to raise derisive cheers upon the late arrival of a brigade, and sso difficult to remember the reason of the delay. I have recently been an eye-witness to three fires at Brompton, and I have no hesitation in saying that your most sincere and enthusiastic thanks are due to the Royal Engineers for their very splendid services on each occasion.
I hope to see such thanks publically expressed. This morning (with a very high wind prevailing) the fine efforts of the R.E.’s prevented a large area from becoming a raging furnace.
Now, gentlemen, cannot the ratepayers hope for some more efficient method of transit of the brigade. I am placing no blame on any person in the delay of the arrival of the horses, but the system is wrong. I hava a close and intimate knowledge of the fire brigade, and having served on its committee, I am more than proud of the high state of efficiency of the men – hence my plea – whilst the esprit de corps is very commendable.
Surely with such efficiency and goodwill at our disposal, nothing but the best appliances is sufficient.
The first few minutes are all-important. Horses on the spot, or a motor-driven vehicle are desirable.
Loss of life and damage to property can be saved by prompt action! People escaped from the burning building this morning by sliding down a rope! I sincerely trust, gentlemen, that you will strengthen this weak spot. Money spent in such a direction is well spent.
In conclusion I would add my word of praise to the members of the Metropolitan Police, H.M. Dockyard, and to the local parties for their excellent services at the recent fire, which I have personally witnessed
The subject of this letter is sufficient praise for our own brigades, as the only praise they seek, is the conciousness of a smart “stop” –
Yours respectfully,
W. W. T. BARNETT.
November 1st, 1910.
-------------------------------------------------------------
TO THE EDITOR
Sir, - I believe every resident in Old Brompton will heartily endorse an expression of high appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the Royal Engineers Fire Party, who, in such a very prompt and smart manner, turned out to the fire at the Lord Nelson, from which the two occupants only just managed to escape in their night attire, and so prevented a much more extensive destruction of property. This was the most serious outbreak of fire that has occurred here for some years, and it is a great consolation to the inhabitants of the town to know that they have, at such a close hand, such an efficient fire brigade as the Royal Engineers proved themselves to be. Upon their appearance at the first alarm, they were informed that their appliances were useless for the hydrants. But, nothing daunted, they immediately returned to barracks, and in a few minutes had a hose over the wall opposite to the scene of the conflagration with a fine force of water, so that the fire was soon got under control. It is impossible to praise them too highly for the valuable services they thus rendered to the inhabitants of that part of our populous district at a time of extreme danger.
The fact that our local fire brigade did not arrive until some considerable time after the call had been given needs, I think, some explanation. – Yours truly.
OLD BROMPTONIAN
November 2nd.