On Saturday evening last shortly after eight o’clock a fire of an alarming character broke out in Middle Row at the Pier. Premises used as stores by Messrs Nazer and Long and other parties and as a workshop by Mr Stephen William’s builder, the property of Mrs. Nazer widow of the late Mr. D. Nazer. The origin of the fire appears to be involved in mystery. From the spot it was first discovered it is supposed to have commenced near the partition separating the portion of the building occupied by Mr. William’s from that in the occupation of Mr. Nazer and Long. The first observer of the conflagration is said to be Mrs. Hunter who from a room at the back of her residence in Council House Street noticed an unusual glare of light in the building. Without apprehending the fact called her husbands attention to the circumstances who at once perceived that a fire had broke out. An alarm was speedily raised and intelligence of the event promptly forwarded to those by whom the building was respectively tenanted.

Had but a small quantity of water been at hand on the discovery of the fire it is reported that but slight damage would have been sustained by any one. From the absence of water at the onset the flames rapidly communicated through the entire length of the building. At one period threatened destruction to the numerous houses in Seven Star and Council House Street and endangering the Dover Terminus of the South Eastern Railway, which is in close proximity. In reference to the result of the conflagration the most serious apprehensions were for a long time entertained, more especially from the combustible nature of the materials stored in the range of buildings. From the close manner in which the houses at that part of the town are built, many of them have no back ways at all and being erected against the sides and backs of other houses. That which appeared to contribute most to the fear of the inhabitants, was circumstance of the powder magazine of the Fort being close at hand. Had the fire reached it, or even a stray spark, nothing could have saved that portion of the town from utter destruction.

The wind which had been blowing strongly during the day suddenly dropped in the latter part of the afternoon and continued merely as a gentle breeze till all danger of the spreading of the flames had ceased otherwise the sparks which presented the appearance of a continued torrent of fire. This must have very greatly increased the calamity. They streamed over the houses as far as the shed and engineer’s apartments at the Railway Terminus thickly strewing the road adjoining with burning embers and in the direction of the magazine before named. For about three quarters of an hour Dover presented a most alarming spectacle, the fire-bell pealing rapidly in the Market Place, the bells at the several churches tolling their dismal knells slowly and dolefully, people running eager to witness what was expected to be a terrific conflagration and in front of the mass were to be seen a vast crowd of human beings in the greatest possible disorder and confusion, those who had property in danger were tumbling from their windows and showering water down the heated walls of their dwellings.

Hundreds were running in all directions desirous to assist in extinguishing the flames that were raging most fearfully, but were not able to do so for want of water. No one appearing to know the situation of the fireplugs and when searched for and found the absence of a key rendered the water unobtainable. Hence though all were eager to work confusion prevailed from the absence of a directing energy and the flames raged for a while with uncontrolled fury. Surely remarked several present, past experiences in Dover should have proved a sufficient warning in respect to fire’s but “Dover like Dover” was reiterated by hundreds present. We would not like to comment too severely on the apparent neglect of having properly constituted and qualified authorities in the requisite departments necessary on such calamitous occasions and therefore proceed to remark that the Mayor of Dover and a body of police arrived on the spot shortly after the outbreak.

The harbour engine being the first engine at the scene of action with which Mr. Irons Harbour Master kindly offered to send his men but the impatient populace demanded it instant. The consequence was that they do not understand it, it was not at work till three-quarters of an hour after its arrival. The town engines soon followed and also an engine from the Castle manned by the body of the 50th Regiment the Ordinance engine and an engine from the Heights manned by a detachment of the Royal Artillery. Several companies of the 50th Regiment, the ordnance engine was also on the spot under the direction of Colonel Tylden R.E. Commandment of the garrison and rendered invaluable service particularly in arresting the progress of the flames. In securing thoroughfare for the parties employed and in protecting the property saved from the burning premises after their arrival.

Two or three of the soldiers in their endeavour to extinguish the flames were injured by the falling of a wall. About nine o’clock the fire assumed so threatening in respect that Mr. Way the Superintendent of the Dover Railway Station kindly telegraphed to Folkestone for an engine. This arrived in Dover fully equipped for action within ten minutes after and was supplied with water from the company’s tanks and to this in connection with the military engine the inhabitants are chiefly indebted for the protection of the adjoining property.

Lieutenant Essel also receiving the communications from Dover directly telegraphed to London where an engine fully equipped for action. This was got in readiness to start at a moment’s notice to be conducted by a detachment of the London Fire Brigade and would have been conveyed here within one hour and a half after leaving London. This is one of the great advantages of railway and telegraphic communications combined. After the engines had been worked for some two or three hours the further spread of the fire was arrested and the whole we are happy to say almost entirely checked. The military were ultimately drawn off and about twelve o’clock the engines ceased playing and were removed, one however with a number of men remaining on the spot all night and being occasionally worked on the smouldering remains.

The property destroyed was very considerable, and the property stolen previously to the arrival of the military almost staggers belief. The premises, which may be said to be a heap of ruins were insured for £200 an amount considerably below their value.

The stores occupied by Nazer and Long contained 90 sacks of haricot beans, which had been landed in the afternoon and of which 6 sacks only were saved. A large stock of French brushes, none burnt but about 1,200 stolen, from 10-12 tons of choice potatoes destroyed, a ton of best arrowroot destroyed, as were a large quantity of chestnuts and walnuts and about £20 worth of shoemaker’s bristles in 11-1b packages were stolen. A quantity of other property that has not yet been enumerated was either stolen or burnt and the whole in store was uninsured-estimated loss £300. In the shop occupied by Mr William’s nothing but a ladder was saved, his foreman Mr. Poole is a loser by the destruction of tools to the amount of about £10, but the stock of timber &c in the shop was insured in the Globe for £250.

Mr. Street, Tin-man, who occupied a portion of the premises has also lost the whole of his property, which was unfortunately uninsured. A quantity of beer the property of Messrs Baldwin and Godden was stored in one of the ground apartments the whole of which was saved. A horse and some rabbits were also kept in another, which were also got out alive. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the authorities, the military, and the police for their admirable conduct throughout and who remained on the spot till no more danger was apprehended. The same applies equally to the railway authorities stationed at Dover and Folkestone, Messrs Superintendent Way, Barnett, Graham and Lieut. Essel as also to the servants of the company of the ordnance and the three harbour commissioners.

The ruins burst again into flames on Sunday morning. After the removal of the engine that afternoon was for the second time sent down. The flames again broke out on Sunday evening and were quickly subdued, but they continued to smoulder and smoke profusely during Monday and Monday night. On Wednesday the inhabitants returned public thanks to Almighty God at St. John’s Chapel for the providential escape from the danger, which during Saturday evening so frightfully threatened them. The Rev. William Yate appointed a special service for the occasion and preached a very appropriate sermon to a very crowded congregation.

Isabelle Rowbottom charged on suspicion of having unlawful possession of a hair broom and handle the property of Messrs Nazer and Long. From what transpired before the Bench it appeared that at the late disastrous fire at the Pier several parties were engaged in saving a quantity of brushes &c. from the premises on fire that prisoner with others had removed a quantity which were to be returned afterwards. Some compensation given for the care taken of them that some had been returned but a great quantity up to the present moment withheld. From information given it was suspected prisoner still retained possession of some and a warrant for the search of her abode was issued which resulted in one being found in a chamber although prisoner protested her innocence and that there were none in her house.

The protesters intimated that they believed Mrs. Rowbottom was actuated by right motives in her exertions at the fire, although they could not account for her subsequent conduct. They did not wish to press the charge against her. A caution would be circulated calling upon those who had possession of any of the property to return it to its owners when compensation would be given. If retained afterwards no leniency would be shown and all offenders discovered could be forthwith prosecuted.

 The magistrates in addressing the prisoner said that she had placed herself in a most awkward position. From the leniency shown to her by the prosecutors it was her duty to assist them in recovering their property. The case would stand over for the present in the event of any circumstance transpiring rendering it necessary to be again brought forward. (April 1850)