The Great Fire of Brandon

14 May is the anniversary of the devastating fire which came very close to completely wiping out the Ferry Street (High Street) section of Brandon back in 1789.

In those days fire spread incredibly quickly as the buildings were mainly of wooden construction with thatched roofs. Firefighting was almost impossible as all that was available was a form of hand operated pump, but in many respects Brandon was lucky that the parish owned its own fire engine (despite the obvious danger from fire many others did not) and that it had been well maintained. Unfortunately most of the fit young men were out of town that afternoon, having travelled to the fair in the neighbouring town of Thetford and so it seems that in the end the larger part of Brandon was saved because the wind that day blew the flames in the direction of the river rather than towards the much more densely populated Market Hill end of town.

This is how the Bury and Norwich Post reported the disaster at the time.

"One Wednesday last a poor old woman at Brandon was frightened to death by the violent storm of lightning that night.

On Thursday last, between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, a dreadful fire broke out at Mr Stanley's, surgeon, in Brandon, which entirely consumed the same, with almost all his furniture, drugs and wearing apparel; also a tenement adjoining in the occupation of Elizabeth Cooper, the principal part of whose furniture and wearing apparel were likewise consumed. - From thence it communicated with the new brick houses of Mr. Webb, postmaster, & Mr John Brewster, jun. which were entirely consumed. Mrs. Webb very narrowly escaped being burnt to death, and Mr. and Mrs. Brewster being both from home, all their effects were entirely demolished. - From thence the flames spread to the dwelling of Mr. Palmer, whitesmith, and an adjoining tenement occupied by Mr. John Neale, shoemaker, both which premises, with most of their goods, were consumed. - The wind being very high, and blowing from the South West, the flames were carried to the opposite side of the street, and communicated to the extensive premises of Mr. Francis Diggon, sadler, collar maker, and felmonger, whose dwelling-house, granary, stable and brew-house, together with the greatest part of his household furniture, stock in trade, wearing apparel, a large quantity of wool and hides, a considerable sum in silver, other cash and bills, were demolished. An adjoining tenement occupied by Mr. George Warner, tailor, with a large quantity of cloth &c. was also consumed; this person was only able to save his bed. - A barn likewise in the occupation of Mr. Mortlock and the widow Richards, with a quantity of brewing utensils and other articles therein, were demolished; as was also an adjoining stable, coach-house and brewhouse, in the occupation of Mr Fuller, attorney.

It is impossible to describe the consternation of the inhabitants, particularly the female part of them; as, being Thetford fair-day, Mr. Diggon was the only man among the unfortunate sufferers who was not from home; and many of the young men, and people capable of rendering the most immediate assistance, were absent from the town on the same occasion. - By the aid, however, of a number of active persons, with a plenty of water, and the engine from Lord Montrath's at Weeting, and one belonging to the parish, the destruction of the whole town, which could not otherwise have been frustrated, was happily prevented.

The whole loss has been estimated at 4500l. and we are very sorry to learn, theat some of the estates, and many of the unhappy sufferers effects were uninsured.

Some of Mr. Diggon's silver, and other cash, has been found amongst the ruins.

Although the above calamity happened in the day-time, the flames were so extremely rapid, that little could be saved from their impetuous fury, and it was with difficulty that event he lives of some individuals were preserved. - No less than 11 families were sufferers upon this melancholy occasion, 8 of whom are entirely burnt out of house and home.

This disaster was occasioned by some careless person throwing out hot ashes on to a muck-heap which laid next a straw and wood shed."

For a more detailed account of the events of that afternoon and a thorough analysis of the aftermath I recommend John E. Basham's excellent little book Brandon 1789 - a village fire

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