The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-05-23 00:00:00

FEARFUL CONFLAGRATION AT THORNCOMBE.

A SCORE OF DWELLINGS DESTROYED.

This usually quiet village presented • some on
Friday eight last, at once exciting, and pitiably
desolate, the roads being blocked by furniture and
other household effects saved from the ravages of •
destructive fire, which blazed &rosily over the ruins
of a score of houses. At ten o'clock, or shortly after,
on Friday morning • fire burst forth from the bake-
house of Mr. King, whose oven, it I. supposed, got
over-hosted, causing, in tbe first lantana, It. *whorl
of woodwork. Before toe fire could be got nadir
the thick thatch roof of the premises was attacked, and
within • few minutes was in a visit Must of flew&
Situated at • great height above the surrounding
country, with a eseong wind prevailing, • tearful
dowser was at owe apparent. Messes of burning
thatch was Waded by the wind in almost every
diroMon, and, like revengeful fire breads, were
scattered upon the thatched root, around. It is
needless to say that these were soon in • mass of
flame. As the devouring element intended every
agoutis, from cottage to cottage, the poor
people became terror-stricken. In amulet every home
buoy heads were at work getting out the furniture,
but in nearly every case Me buiicling had become a
prey to the fire before half the movables could be
moored. At an early stage in the day the Chard
Town Fire Engine and Brigade was despatched to the
parish, but, although streenons efforts were put forth,
little property was saved. Several Muldingeltairiag redo
of nab i or tile appeared at first to be almost fire-proof,
but their presses safety is dits to the mertione of the
brigade. Strong efforts were made, and with maoages,
to save the inn (Guides which was several tomes
endangered by the roof limiting. The fire raged with
ntensity till about 4 p.m.; but by dark there was little
else than • smouldering heap of ruins in • place of what,
In the morning, had been • neat and cleanly set ot
hebicatioom, each with It. garden of bright, bloesonsiog
pinuts,now scorched and ruined_ Although mem, of the
unfortunate people of Tborooombe have literally 'lost
their little all," there is one sot of Christian Madness
in connection tide memorable day, which will be ever
borne in mind by them. The curate-inoharge, Bev.
A. Eaton, in coninction with Dr, Will., ILL., did all
In their power to provide a temporary home for the
homeless. Within • fee minutes alter • consultation
was held, • placard fixed to the Vicarage dour bore the
following ;--

" All burat oat, come la."

The kindly invitation was not mad. in vain, for th•
ownfortable shelter WM eagerly sought, and kindly
words and Ritual heepitality were in abundance from
the locust rascal and other fortunate persona whose
homes were not burnt down. The owners of vacant
houses in Thornton:the placed them at the immediate
&pas 4 of the 'outcast," and during that night all
available taros and outhowee served as stores for the
chattels. The brigade and engine remised instsudions
to watch the Wafts, through the night, but fortunately
there was no further outbreak. We ars sorry at the
last moment to learn that but few of the houses were
insured, and little, if any, of the consumed furniture
was insured. No such fire as this, happily, occurred
In this clistriot during the past half century.

BOUILISIIOUTZ.
ST. PITTII4IBOURNIXOUTII.—The Roy. P. Brent,late
vicar ol Beet Mandit, Northampton, has sculpted the
vacant curacy .1 81. Peter's, Bournemouth.