"Be it known to succeeding ages that on Tuesday, the Ninth Day of September, Anno 1729, a Sudain and Violent Fire broke out in the Parish of Bozeate about Two of the Clock after Noon at one Widow Keech's; who was baking upon the hearth in a poor house amongst the Church Yard houses, Which in the space of Three or Four hours (with a strong Wind) consumed Fourty One Dwelling houses besides all out Buildings (not Five Shillings worth of useful timber saved). Four farms were burnt with full crops of Harvest; and great Quantitys of Household Goods: The Bell Frames were Twice on Fire. The whole Loss Amounting to Near Four Thousand Pounds. Blessed be God there were no Lives Lost, nor anybody hurt amidst so great Danger. And Whereas the Vicarage House was Burnyt with the Register Books, I, Thomas Drake (above Twenty One Years Vicar of this Parish) Having quitted this for another Living To my successor Mr Humphry Bradford: But having not removed my Family and Goods, became a Considerable Sufferer in this Dismal Fire...." see also Parish Register Notes