A fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at about four o’clock in a farm yard belonging to Mr. Shelton, of Higham Ferrers, situated near the road between Higham Ferrers and Stanwick. A man named Morris, of Stanwick, saw smoke proceeding from between a couple of hay ricks in the yard — one rick being 50 tons of this season’s hay, and the other of five tons of old hay. Morris called to Thomas Underwood, of Stanwick, who was also at work near, and they together got some water from a well hard by, and tried to extinguish the fire. In a few minutes however the fire was all over the ricks, and burning fiercely. A messenger was sent off to Higham Ferrers for Mr. Shelton, who soon came with other assistance but it was early seen that it would be useless to try and save the ricks that were attacked. The only thing to be done was to prevent the remaining stacks in the yard from catching. A large stack of barley straw was accordingly moved, and the other means taken fortunately prevented the conflagration from spreading.
The news of the outbreak quickly spread in the villages round about, with the result that many hundreds of people journeyed to the scene. The ricks continued to burn throughout the evening in consequence of the firm hold the fire had got on the rick, it was not deemed necessary to send for any of the neighbouring fire brigades. Several constables from adjoining parishes, however, attended and helped to keep order amongst the large crowd which gathered. After dark the conflagration lit up the whole neighbourhood, and caused the wildest rumours to be set afloat. It is stated that a lad named Underwood set the stacks on fire whilst playing with matches. He is 7 years of age.
|
