Cambridge Chronicle 24 Sep 1886: Infield Church Farm fire

GREAT FIRE AT TRUMPINGTON

Early on Sunday morning last, a most destructive fire broke out in the village of Trumpington, the property attacked being that of Mr. Wm. Infield, a farmer, who had resided in Trumpington for about three years, and whose notice to leave expires on the 20th of this month. The premises are situated on the main road from Cambridge to Shelford. The outbreak appears to have originated at the south-east of the yard. Who first discovered the fire is uncertain, but P.-s. G. Everitt, who is stationed at Trumpington, and whose house is very close to the farm, was one of the first to arrive upon the scene. He states that at 12.16 a.m., he was in bed. He heard cries of fire, and immediately looking out of his back window saw flames proceeding from a stack on Mr. Infield’s farm. He instantly raised an alarm of fire, and lost no time in getting to the scene. When he arrived the fire had burst up and was spreading right and left. The condition of affairs then became very serious, and grave thoughts were entertained for the live stock on the farm, of which there were a great number. Fortunately, the horsekeeper, and other servants accustomed to the stock, were on the farm, and, with other assistance, every head of cattle was driven to a place of safety. The fire had meanwhile spread to the whole of the yard, and it was clearly seen by all that what was then on the yard could not possibly be saved. Unfortunately for Mr. Infield, the fire happened at a very unfortunate time of the year for him, as the yard was thoroughly stocked with the produce of the land. In all, there were thirteen stacks of various kinds on the premises, consisting of wheat, barley, tares, beans, hay, and straw, all of which were practically burnt to the ground. The stock of implements was very great, consisting of a circle ploughing engine with cultivator, steam ploughing tackle, and other implements usually kept by a farmer, and all these were rendered more or less useless. A granary, standing in the centre of the yard, was burnt to the ground, and its contents, which consisted of sacks of wheat, peas &c., some of this year’s produce, are also unfit for use. Almost a new dog cart, which stood close to the ploughing engine, was burnt, so that little or nothing was left of it. The largest stack on the farm was the hay stack, which was situated quite in the centre of the yard, and was said to be a stack of about one hundred tons weight. The cart sheds, stables, and other outhouses, escaped with a scorching. The cause of the fire is, as yet, unknown, but close inquiries into its origin are being made, and, no doubt, if it has been the work of incendiaries, they will very soon be brought to justice. The estimated damage is laid at £3,000. The property is insured in the “Liverpool, London and Globe” Insurance Offices. The owner of the property is Mr. H. W. Pemberton, the squire of the parish. The dreadful occurrence has caused great excitement in the village, indeed the alarm was so great that on Sunday and Monday it was with difficulty that many of the villagers could be persuaded to go to bed, as the stacks were then still burning. Fortunately for the occupants of the houses in the principal street of the village, the wind did not lay in that direction, for had it blown in the south-east, the damage done to property might have been vastly greater than has been the case, though the destruction has been very great. An incident, in connection with the occurrence is worthy of mention. At 12.30am, about ten minutes after the fire had started, a man was seen to run out from one of the stacks, with his clothes on fire, crying very loudly. He was unable to state what had occurred. His clothes were got off him, and a blanket wrapped round him, and through the courtesy of Mr. Holmes, of Trumpington, he was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where it was found that he had sustained severe burns to his hands, feet and head. It is thought he was a tramp on the road, and “dropped” into the yard for a night’s lodging, for, according to his own account he entered the premises at 8.30 on Saturday night. He gave his name as Charles Hayward, of 2, Eaden-road, Eaden-place, Plumstead, Kent, and described himself as a bricklayer and slater.

The injured man was interviewed on Tuesday evening, and, replying to questions, he stated that he was on his way to London, and that he went to sleep under one of the stacks in the Church Farm yard. He was aroused, he said, by a crackling noise, which resembled rain, and when he became more sensible of his position, he, to his utter surprise, discovered that he was in the middle of a fire, and, in order to save his life, must breast the flames before he could gain his freedom. This was his only resource, and he rushed through the flames. The injuries, which he consequently received, were some very extensive burns to his head, face, hands, and legs, and as he lay in bed he presented a very sad spectacle, being literally bandaged from head to foot. Hopes, however, are entertained of his recovery.

The scene of the disaster was visited by a great number of persons on Sunday and Monday, when the stacks were still burning.