The upper part of Snargate Street was in a state of consternation in the early part of Thursday afternoon from an alarm that fire had broken out on the premises of Messrs Gilmour and Company (late Stevenson & Co.) Intelligence of the event was promptly communicated to “Captain G. T. Parks” of the Fire Brigade who though un-provided with a suitable vehicle for the speedy transmission of the requisite water apparatus for the emergencies of fire lost no time in facilitating the despatch of the hose &c. to the scene of action and in less than ten minutes. After receiving information of the fire a double service hose was connected with the hydrant fronting the premises of Messrs Gilmour and the work of extinguishing the flames commenced.

On arriving at the spot Mr. Parks found every floor of the house filled with dense smoke, the basement, a cellar, store filled with empty boxes, barrels and other materials of an equally combustible character, which was said to have been left on the premises by the former occupants. The fire itself appeared to be confined to the upper shelves of the store and ceiling part of which seemed to be boarded instead of plastered and the flames were covering a considerable surface extent and had firm hold of several joists. Fortunately, both for the premises immediately connected and adjoining property on either side, the waterworks of the Dover Local Board embrace the most complete provisions for casualties by fire. The appliances by this arrangement must on Thursday have convinced every spectator that the large expenditure on the Castle Hill had not been altogether in vain. Property to the amount of thousands was probably saved by speedy application of water and which under the old system and in the sane locality could not have been applied until the fire had gained hold upon the shop and perhaps spread also to eaves on another floor.

So powerful and copious were the streams of water poured upon the burning materials that in a few minutes the extension of the conflagration was effectually checked any cause for apprehension of further damage removed and the store flooded to a depth of two feet. That the parties in the house anticipated a crisis may be inferred from the actual removal of furniture from the upper floors. The extent of injury sustained by the outbreak will be comparatively small from its early discovery and suppression but the inconvenience generally experienced from such occurrences usually extended over a considerable period and often prove greater loss in a business view than the actual damage done by fire. The stock is said to be insured but whether the premises are so or not we cannot say. The origin of the fire no one appears to know and conjecture on this score useless. We are thankful that it was early checked that Dover now possesses immense recourses for the calamitous occurrences of the fire and that the brigade has such an efficient head as Mr. Parks. The police and others also rendered valuable assistance. (1857)