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The quiet and retired suburban district of the Borough of Dover was alarmed on Thursday night by a report that a fire had broken out in the Wesleyan Chapel. A few moments suffered for a mustering in the street of some dozen relatives of the locality anxiously looking for the scene of danger. Enquiry effectuated that the fire was confined to the interior of the house in which it had broken out occupied by Mr. Pepper, Butcher. It appeared that Mr. Pepper in passing the furniture of a bed in a back chamber somehow brushed his candle against the dimity, which ignited but did not burst into flames till the occurrence was afterwards discovered by volumes of smoke finding vent in other apartments of the house.

The alarm was communicated to the neighbours and assistance was promptly and effectually rendered. A few buckets of water proved sufficient to prevent the flames extending through the smoke encountered in approaching the bed was nearly suffocating. When all apprehensions of further danger was removed it was seen that the flames had been on the point of forcing there way through the ceiling above. But for the exertions of those who ran to help, in a few minutes valuable property would have been a heap of ruins as in adjoining room of the next house (Mr. Hunt’s) there were two barrels of gunpowder.

The latter fact appears to be pretty generally known and probably this circumstance led to the No. 1 Corporation Engine being despatched with hoses. On its arrival the fire was out and shortly afterwards the powder was removed from its close vicinity to the outbreak. Captain Parks and Wood were in attendance with the engine as well as other respectable parties in whom some apprehension had been excited by the known presence of gunpowder so immediately near. We understand the damage will not exceed £25. (1853)