The Fire of 1799

### **The fire itself**

On the early morning of October 17th 1799, the left wing of the school burnt down in a horrific fire, which claimed nine lives, including two teachers who perished whilst desperately trying to save their pupils from the flames.

Written records note that the fire started at around 1am in the morning in the school's library after an unattended candle fell onto a large bookshelf, causing it to set alight. Meanwhile, several members of staff and students were asleep in their dorms on the left wing and were not aware of the fire. Thankfully, the school's groundskeeper saw the flames from his cottage nearby and ran to the scene, trying to wake up all those in the left wing, and get help from the local fire team. Most of the school, still in their nightwear, was evacuated out of the building as quickly as possible.

However, the fire spread rapidly and stopped him from notifying the last few rooms in the wing - where the nine victims were still sleeping. The victims awoke with their rooms covered in smoke as they discovered they were trapped in by the flames. Two married teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Clementine, were sleeping next door and managed to get into the student's room. Their plan was that they were to resort to trying to break the big glass window in the dormitory and have to try and jump from the 2nd floor, or be consumed by the flames.

Just as they were about to try and escape, the strained and broken floor below them gave way and they plummeted into the flames in the room below, where they very sadly died.

The fire was put out about 45 minutes later, with the vast majority of the left wing completely in ruins. The remains of the victim's bodies were recovered and funerals were given. In their honour, 9 tulip trees were planted on the school's grounds, and a special service was held to mourn their loss.

### **Deaths**

* Mrs. Clementine (Latin Teacher)
* Mr Clementine (Divinity Teacher)

* James Perfidium (Student)
* Anthony Crevvis (Student)
* Oliver Braddock (Student)
* Gregory Hetcher (Student)
* Geoffrey Hetcher (Student)
* Samson Capulet (Student)
* Benedict Mullion (Student)

### **Aftermath**

The tragedy made headline news and led to many parents complaining about the safety of the school and a mass wave of students were pulled out of going to the school by their families, as well as members of the school board refusing to fund anymore. The school was on its knees for the first time, with now a lack of funding and with hardly any students attending the school. As a result of this, the current Headmaster Jules Garringden (who had only been in office for a month) decided to save the school from closing by funding it himself by using his late father's inheritance and selling his home, moving into the groundsmen's cottage to live.

In the first months of 1800, the left wing was rebuilt with salvaged bricks in a slightly new style, which is still extremely noticeable, even today. The library was rebuilt inside, and named 'The Clementine Library' after the two teachers who perished doing their duty. After the fire, most of the weary parents reluctantly decided to send their children back to finish their education at St. Clarence's.

The story has been talked about in the school ever since, and acts as a warning to anyone.