History of Dover

Yesterday at noon an alarming fire broke out at Mr. Smith’s patent firewood and Lucifer Match Manufactory situated at Tower Hamlets, Charlton. The flames were first seen to issue near the chimney of the engine house and in a few minutes from the inflammable nature of the materials the building presented one body of flame. The two corporation engines were shortly on the spot but their being no chance of preventing the flames and destruction of the manufactory the engines were directed to the preservation of Mr. Castle’s stables and barn adjoining in which they fortunately succeeded. Major Mee of the Royal Artillery was promptly on the spot and the engine with a company of that official corps having arrived under the direction of Sergeant Major Sly. It commenced playing on the ruins but unfortunately shortly became choked from the mixture of straw and soil in the water with which was supplied. The exertions of the men however proved very effective in working one of the corporation’s engines but it was not till after two constant playing of both engines that the flames were sufficiently subdued to prevent fear of another outbreak. The dense smoke continued for hours from the smouldering of a large quantity of rags in one part of the store.

The loss to Mr. Smith (wholly uninsured) is very great. He had lately erected the premises with an engine for the purpose of bone crushing, which with a large stock of wood recently imported for the manufacture of the patent firewood is totally destroyed. We hear the loss is estimated at little less than £1,000. Mr. Castle is also a sufferer by the injury to the roof of his stable and the damage done in removing a large quantity of barley from the barn that was strewn in the adjacent field. He is we believe partially insured. Several poor people are, we regret sufferers from the damage done in removing their small stock of furniture from the adjacent cottages. The origin of the fire has not yet been ascertained. The men left work at 12 o’clock and locked up the premises. There were then three fires left burning one of which was in the copper used for boiling bones which it is supposed might have boiled over and led to the catastrophe.

It is most fortunate there was but little wind or from the cottages and sheds being covered in tar there is little doubt the fire would have extended to the Eagle Gardens where Alger's Booth was erected and to the house in London Road. In less than three hours after the fire was got under it blew a gale of wind in that direction. (1849)