Morning Post 17 Jul 1843: Trinity farm fire

EXTENSIVE INCENDIARY FIRE. - We regret to state that between one and two o’clock on Thursday morning last a fire was discovered upon a farm, in the parish of Trumpington, within two miles of this town, the property of Trinity College, under lease to Colonel Pemberton, and in the occupation of Messrs. John Spencer and L. Eddlestone. The fire was first discovered by a female on the premises, who was awoke by the noise occasioned by the burning timber, and Mr. Spencer immediately afterwards observed that the extensive barn forming nearly one side of the excellent farm-yard appeared in an entire blaze. He fortunately succeeded in driving six or seven capital horses out of the yard into an adjoining close, a large quantity of poultry and a portion only of some beautiful pigeons also affected their escape. The barn, which, with its contents, was entirely destroyed, contained between 150 and 200 loads of superior unthrashed wheat; a stable, with the whole of the harness, and a granary and bullock-shed were burnt to the ground, as also a very large stack of wheat straw, and the remainder of the numerous buildings are materially injured. Some quarters of good peas, and the fleeces of wool recently clipped from twelve to thirteen score of fine sheep, were also so much damaged as to render them all perfectly useless; and a good farming cart and water cart were destroyed, and a drill materially injured. After the fire had been raging some time, it was recollected that two farming horses were confined in a stable at the end of the barn, from whence the flames were first perceived: a vigorous but almost hopeless effort was made to save them; fortunately, in this instance, one of the animals was blind, but has been long used to the premises, and at once, when shouted to, bolted out of the door, and the other, a young one, of course followed; but as a proof of their narrow escape we may mention that one was burnt in the foot and the other had its tail much scorched. We have much satisfaction in stating that all parties were fully insured in the Sun fire-office, but at the same time lament that there can be no doubt of the conflagration having been the act of some diabolical incendiary, the situation of the premises from the house, where the flames were first observed, fully bears out this assertion, and any candle or light near the spot at the time of the year would be altogether unnecessary. - Cambridge Chronicle.