On Tuesday afternoon an a alarming fire took place at Mr. Gay’s mustard, coffee, and spice grinding mills in Biggin Street Dover. The flames were first discovered issuing from the adjoining carpenters shop in the rear belonging to Mr. Smith, which in less than five minutes notwithstanding water poured from buckets communicated through the windows to the manufactory, proved fruitless. The corporation engine arrived in about a quarter of an hour but from want of water and proper authority it was not brought into play for another quarter of an hour at which time the flames had full possession of the manufactory. This engine was speedily followed by the number 2 corporation, the Castle, Ordnance and Artillery under the direction of Sergeant Major Kent. This proved most effective being of great power and filled by another engine with a copious supply of water from the river at the rear of Mr. Jarvis’s premises. To this timely aid may be mainly attributed the prevention of the flames spreading to the houses facing the street. The flames from the high wind burnt with irresistible fury for two hours when their further progress was fully arrested but the engines continued playing for some time on the smouldering ruins.

The greatest alacrity was shown by the inhabitants in rendering assistance to remove furniture and form lines for passing water from the neighbouring pumps that being the only available source of supply to the engines their being no water pipes in the district. Thanks are also due to the military for their valuable assistance. The Adjutant and the two companies of the 50th Regiment were promptly on the spot and were very affective in keeping the crowds clear of the engines. The Mayor W. Cocke Esq. Colonel Tylden Commandant of the garrison, J. Gange Esq. Barrack Master and the other authorities were also present and rendered active service.

This conflagration has entailed a loss of at least £3,000 and unfortunately with the exception of Mr. Cave’s cottages the whole of the suffers were uninsured. The case of Mr. Gay is truly lamentable. He had lately embarked his whole property (about 1,000) in the mills and had the previous week laid on a large stock of spices &c. for grinding. He applied to the agent for the Sun Office to insure the same and only on the Thursday preceding the fire received a letter declining to grant the policy. His loss is estimated at £700 and the premises and machinery belonging to Mr. Alfred Kingsford have suffered to the extent of £200. He has just commenced business and was preparing to build two houses at Buckland. Mr. Cave’s six cottages were much-injured two being completely gutted and the roofs of the others destroyed. He is fortunately covered by insurance in the Guardian Office. The tenant’s poor labouring persons have been great sufferers by the destruction of their furniture, which they have not the means to replace, but for which is hoped the inhabitants of the town will set a subscription on foot. Mr. E. P. Robinson has been a great sufferer from the wanton destruction of his furniture. He was from home and his house was broken open when some fellows lodging at the Royal George gained admission and commenced breaking the bedsteads and furniture that were thrown recklessly out of the window, he has also lost jewellery. Mr. Goldfinch and Mr. Sayer, wheelwright’s have also been sufferers by the loss of their stock and tools particularly Mr. Goldfinch whose saw-shed was burned down. We have received notice of many who displayed great intrepidity on the occasion but which where so many used their best exertions it would appear invidious to name. (1848)

The Late Fire.

To the Editor of the Dover Telegraph. August 3rd 1848.

Sir, In consequence of several people being agitated abroad that I had clandestinely removed goods from my premises after the melancholy accident of Tuesday last with the intention of defrauding my creditors I beg most positively to deny it, the facts are as follows; At the time of the fire I had little or no money by me. I was therefore compelled having lost the whole of my property recently embarked in this speculation, to dispose of certain portions of the stock saved that I might have a little cash for present necessary expenses till my affairs were settled. The goods disposed of were sold to Messrs Usborne and Dickeson and to Mr. Nower's grocers of this town, joint sales of which did not amount to £30 and were regularly entered in my books and delivered before half past seven in the evening. These are the only goods that have left my premises since the accident and these sales were not made without previously consulting many highly respectable gentlemen on the propriety of doing so.

I am sir, yours obediently Richard Gay, Mustard and Chicory Manufacture &c.