On Sunday last a fire broke out in the cellar of the Fleur de Lis, a public house in Council House Street Dover. The supposed origin of which is not a little singular. It appears that the floor of the pantry, which is immediately over the cellar there is a small hole caused by a knot in the floorboard having some time been forced out. It is supposed that a fragment of burning tobacco or the end of a fuse or something of the sort, accidentally dropped through this little aperture and fell into a hamper containing straw or some ignitable materials that very soon set in a blaze.
The accident was fortunately discovered before it had occasioned any serious damage and by the energetic and praiseworthy assertions of Mr. G. Baker of the Clarence Inn and Police Constable Fyfe, both of who live near the spot the fire was promptly suppressed. The alarm had been given at the station of the South-Eastern Railway and the powerful and effective engine belonging to the company was got out with great alacrity by the employees under the direction of Mr. Way the Station Superintendent, but before it could be brought into requisition, the fire was effectively subdued in the manner described.
The greatest credit is due both to the police constables and Mr. Baker for the ready assistance they lent in extinguishing the flames. As in all probability considering the close neighbourhood in which the Fleur de Lis is situated, the conflagration would have been attended with the most disastrous effect had it once obtained ascending over the lower floors of the building. (1859)
