Alarming Fire Near March

        From the "Wisbech Standard" Friday, February 16, 1900. 

        A number of the inhabitants of March were considerably startled early on Wednesday morning by hearing the
        warning tones of the fire-bell issue forth for the first time from the clock tower of the new Council buildings.
        It was soon discovered that a serious outbreak had occurred at Stonea Grange, a large farmhouse situated 
        by the side of the Great Eastern Railway near Stonea station and occupied by Mr. Herbert Morton.

        The Fire Brigade quickly responded to the call and left, with the steamer, in a snowstorm.  They experienced 
        much difficulty in getting to the scene of the outbreak on account of the many drifts that had been made
        by the storm during the night, some of those being four feet deep.

        When they arrived, the Brigade found the house in full blaze.  They were, however, able to obtain a copious 
        supply of water from the ballast pits situated on Mr. Jones' farm, and were soon busily engaged ?playing upon
        the burning building.

        Owing to their exertions the firemen managed to save the breakfast-room, back staircase, two kitchens, 
        and five bedrooms, but unfortunately the drawing-room, dining-room, front hall and staircase, and six or
        seven bedrooms were completely destroyed, including, of course, all the furniture they contained.

        In addition to this, a gold watch and chain, and �15 in gold and about 30s. worth of silver, belonging to 
        Mr. Herbert Morton, were lost.  The fireman recovered the gold coins which were joined together in a molten 
        mass.

        The fire is supposed to have originated from the ignition of an old beam in the drawing-room, which must have 
        been smouldering as there had not been a fire in the room for several days.  It was discovered by a servant girl,
        who detected a smell of burning when she arose in the morning.

        Mr. Morton was in bed at the time, having been up late attending to some lambs, and it was fortunate that the 
        danger was found out or more serious consequences, even loss of life, might have resulted.  Luckily the house 
        and furniture were insured, the estimated damage to the former being �700 and to the latter �200.  The farm is
        tenanted by Mr. William Morton, of March.

        The house is an old one and contained some oak-panelled rooms which fell easy victim to the flames.

        Supt. Bond and the members of of the March Fire Brigade are to be congratulated on the good service they put in.
        If they had not arrived when they did it is probable that that the whole of the house and buildings would have 
        been destroyed.  They returned to March with the steamer, which had worked well, about five o'clock.  
           
        We may add that it was just twelve months on Wednesday since the Brigade has been called out, the occaision 
        then being Mr. W. Vawser's fire in West Fen, March.         


        Transcription © Ann McClean, 2009 

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