The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-10 00:00:00

Terrible Conflagration in Lincolnshire.

About 10 otelock on Friday morning a fire, attended
with most disastrous results, broke out in Billing-
hay. It was first discovered at the corner of the
main street leading to Lincoln, on the roof of a
thatched hovel in a yard belonging to a man named
William Scott, wood dealer. The wind at the time
was blowing a gale frcm the west, and the sparks
flew in all directions. The flames quickly extended
to the remaining buildings in the yard, and thence
the burning straw was blown upon a thatched cot-
tage and outbuildings belonging to Robert Newton,
a carrier between Sleaford and Lincoln. The build-
ing was completely gutted, as well as the stable and
carthouse, with other buildings adjoining. The
flames next communicated to a brick and thatched
cottage, which was levelled with the ground in a
few minutes, all the furniture being destroyed. They
then extended across the road in an easterly-direction
and two brick and thatched cottages were quickly
on fire, and were soon consumed with nearly all their
contents. In the rear was a quantity of farm build-
ings and produce, none of which escaped, The
flames then appeared to make a sudden leap and
reached a
,row of cottages across another street.
One of these, occupied by Robert Wilsen, and
another by John
,Stevenson, were burnt to ruins,
as well as many useful farm buildings in the rear.
An oat stack, hovel, and pigstye belonging to C.
Croft were also consumed. The moat serious loss,
however, was that lof Thomas Gilbert. The
house was a substantial stone building with
thatched roof, which had recently undergone ex-
tensive repairs. Nothing but the walls remain.
In the yard were two oat stacks, two haystacks,
three straw stacks, stables, and other outbuildings,
none of which escaped, and it was only with the
greatest possible difficulty that an adjoining stack-
yard was saved. The Primitive Methodist Chapel
opposite was also burnt out, as well as a cottage in
the occupation of William Gadsby, The produce
of two acres of wheat, adjoining a stack of wheat
the produce of four acres, belonging to W. Sharp,
was totally consumed, and the poor fellow was not
insured. Beyond this long list of terrible disasters
a quantity of furniture was destroyed in removal,
nearly all the houses in the village in the imme-
diate neighbourhood of the fire being cleared out.
At the spot where the fire originated, a fat pig,
which the owner had given £4 for a few days ago,
was burnt to death, and at another place three or
four pigs were burnt. The hour at which the fire
broke out was rather unfortunate, as most of the
cottagers were out in the harvest field. As soon as
the alarm was given they quickly returned, to find
the comfortable home they had left only a few hours
before a smoking mass of ruins. The Billinghay
engine was quickly got out, but owing to the long
distance from which the water had to be fetched it
' was some time before it could be made of much ser-
vice ; when, however, it commenced it proved very
useful, and a messenger being sent to Tattershall
soon arrived with another engine, and between the
two, with other help, the spread of the fire was
somewhat prevented. The high wind, however, did
not allow
ing property, and it
ex-
ertion that the co
although the thatchfla
To-
wards evening 1%3:1an
of much help being rendered to the burn
further outbreak. The lo;:wh
is hoped, if the wind abet
sWtaeanr;only with the utmost
conflagration could be checked.
was obtained over it, and
straw continue burning it
will fall very heavily
there will not be any
as they are generally of the poorerNcelaars
upon the sufferers, few
Nearly
thelt Occur.
of m are insured, and
rence is a most distressing one.
wowen, and children have to be accomusoYdat )0d
men,
with
temporary lodgings in the village Schoolroom, and
their Sufferings must be very great for some tittle,
LW they have lost their little all. It is to be hoped
that steps will be promptly taken to afford them
temporary relief. The best possible order prevailed,
the local police rendering efficient service ; and
nearly every roan, women, and child in the village
t tuned out to /pre #l.4T3tence.

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