One of the most alarming fires which has ever taken place in Dover, broke out on Monday evening last on the premises of Mr. G. Bennett, Hatter and Clothier, 178 Snargate Street. No persons was in the house at the time, Mr. Bennett and a portion of his family being at the Wellington Hall where Mr. Bennett had engaged to take part in the popular reading and dramatic entertainment which was going on there and the remainder being engaged in another direction.

The first indication of the fire therefore was described from in the street. This was about half past eight o’clock when a piquet of soldiers passed down the street and observed smoke issuing from the shop and the interstices of the shutters. At that time the fire could not have had a very serious hold of the premises as the shop was not closed till after eight and when Mr. Bennett left the premises everything was apparently safe. The fire which had been burning during the day having almost expired and a single gas jet being turned down to the smallest dimensions in order to afford the means of obtaining light when he and his family should return. The soldiers immediately raised an alarm and with the assistance of some civilians who were passing at the time they burst open the door when the interior of the shop was found to be on fire. The flames even at that time obtained considerable hold of the inflammable materials of which Mr. Bennett’s stock was composed.

Messengers were despatched in all directions to obtain assistance. It was known that Mr. Bennett was engaged in popular readings and when the messenger entered the hall to give the alarm Mr. Bennett was just preparing to go upon the platform.

The intelligence reached the Police Station, that is also the Headquarters of the Fire Brigade. Within a minute or two after the fire was discovered and in six or seven minutes the fire brigade was upon the spot under the personnel direction of Superintendent Coram and in charge of a strong body of the Borough Police acting as firemen. Had there been a good supply of water at this moment the fire would have been suppressed with comparatively little damage. Unfortunately the water was not turned into the mains and while the necessary routine was being followed for the purpose of getting a supply the flames obtained a fatal mastery of the building premises. The premises being old the fire burned with considerable fury, placing in serious jeopardy the property on either side the premises of Mr. Winter, Pastrycook, adjoining Mr. Bennett on one side and the unoccupied house in which Mrs. Rule has also recently carried on business of pastrycook being on the other and also menaced the offices of Messrs Fielding Greenhow, Solicitors of Snargate Street which are directly opposite. The flames indeed extended nearly across the street and shooting upwards caused a glare, which lighted up the entire street, the cliffs at the back, and Northampton Street and shed a lurid reflection upon the houses in Waterloo Crescent.

The impossibility of obtain water seemed to strike the householders with panic, the shrieks of the woman, and the cries uttered by the spectators in their excitement being for a short time almost appalling. In addition to raising an alarm at the Police Station messengers had been despatched to the Heights and Castle, and the engine from the first named station was quickly in attendance in charge of a strong detachment of men of the gallant 4th under the command of Lieutenant Hooper. The engine of the London Chatham Dover Railway was also very soon in attendance, Mr. Cox the Superintendent of the Dover Stations having received prompt information from Sir Luke Smithett whose own premises were unpleasantly close to the scene of the conflagration that the fire was raging. The alacrity with which both engines were got to the spot was highly commendable. But the same cry “no water” rendered them comparatively as useless as the town apparatus at such a time however a minute seems almost an age. When the nature of the process by which the water has to be turned into and concentration in the town mains is borne in mind it will not appear very reasonable. When we state that in twenty minutes after the fire was discovered a copious supply of water was placed at the service of the firemen and two powerful hoses brought to bear upon the flames.

The engines in the meantime had been supplied in an intermittent and exceedingly limited manner by means of buckets and at length Mr. Cox gave directions for a hose to be carried through to the “Pent.” Mr. A Grossman, photographer, kindly allowing the same to be passed through his premises. The hose in question was taken into the house of Mr. Winter and proved of essential service. The military engine on the other hand was removed to the upper part of Adrian Street and a connection having been made with one of the hydrants a stream of water was poured on the unoccupied premises next to the burning house. The principal object of the whole of the firemen engaged was to save the premises on either side from destruction of the mastery obtained by the fire over the house of Mr. Bennett being such as to render any attempt to save any portion of the building hopeless. Much of the furniture was removed from the house of Mr. Winter. We regret to state that in the confusion which prevailed some of it was stolen though considering the difficulties under which any kind of duty had to be discharged the ground was well kept by a strong body of the Garrison Police under the direction of Provost - Marshall Robins.

Bearing in mind all circumstances the various bodies engaged and the limited area they all had to work nothing could have been better than the arrangements by Superintendent Coram and the speedy manner in which the fire was extinguished once a supply of water was obtained. The best tribute that can be offered to their efficiency. The Borough Surveyor, Mr. Hanvey, was upon the spot and together with Mr. G. T. Parks, Mr. F. S. Pierce and several other gentlemen well known for their zeal on such occasions assisted in extinguishing the conflagration. Thanks to the exertions the adjoining premises were saved though in the case of Mr. Winter considerably damaged by water. It is impossible to say how the premises caught fire. The house, which belonged to Mr. Bennett, is insured in the Alliance Fire & Life Assurance Company of which Mr. Boyton is the agent and the stock in the Atlas represented in Dover by Mr. H. T. Pay.

The losses will be covered by the policies and we are glad to say that Mr. Bennett’s books have been recovered from the debris though much damaged. They were probably saved by being packed rather tightly together in the desk, which is burnt to a cinder, and owing to some woollen goods falling on them.

Mr. Winter’s stock is insured in the Guardian Office for which Messrs Worsfold & Hayward are the agents and the house in the Law Office whose agent is Mr. G. Fielding. The County Court Office the front of which is much scorched and damaged by the heat is also insured in the Guardian as well as the vacant premises next to Mr. Bennett and Mr. Grossman whose furniture and carpets were much damaged from the water &c holds a policy in the Alliance Office.

The following is the official report. Dover Fire Brigade. Chief Office. January 6th 1870.

Gentlemen, I have to report that a fire occurred on the premises of Mr. George Bennett 178 Snargate Street on the 3rd inst.

The fire brigade was called out at 8.35 p.m. and arrived at 8.42. A good supply of water was obtained from the boards main at 8.50 and the fire was extinguished at 10.40. The premises were completely gutted and the furniture and stock destroyed. The adjoining property occupied by Mr. Winter was damaged by fire and the furniture considerably injured by water. Mr. Fielding and Greenhow’s premises were scorched and the windows broken. I received great assistance from the military under the command of Lieut. Col. Leslie R.A. who were engaged in preventing the crowd from impending the operations of the fire brigade and working their fire engine which proved most efficient. The Fire Brigade of the London Chatham and Dover Railway under the command of Mr. Cox also present and was of much service, the water being obtained from the Pent and the hose being passed through the house of Mr. Grossman who sustained some damage by water. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Brigade in attendance superintendent and seventeen firemen.

Mr. Bennett is insured the house in the Alliance, stock and furniture in the Atlas. Mr. Winter’s house in the Law, stock and furniture in the Guardian.

Messrs Fielding and Greenhow in the Guardian. Amount of damage unknown.

I am yours gentlemen your obedient servant, John Coram, Superintendent. (1870)