MARINERS COMPASS -\STONEGATE WARD

The Lynn Advertiser of 2nd March 1900 reported that :-
Another Fire had been set by an unknown miscreant...............
" During the night of 21st February an elaborate plan to burn the house was put in force, but on that occasion, fortunately, the fire was extinguished before it had made any headway. By coincidence, exactly a week later, the premises were again the scene of a fire, also undoubtedly the work on an incendiary. The house, which was without a tenant, was temporarily in the charge of Mrs Sarah Bailey, who did not reside there, but at the Seven Sisters public house, with her sister. '
Mrs Bailey had left the house at 11:15 pm and all lights had been extinguished.
PC Elmer was passing at 12:20 and found a fierce fire raging in the rear downstairs rooms.
He had promptly roused two firemen who lived at a short distance and aroused the inmates of surrounding houses. By 12:30 the fire bells were clashed and in quick time the tender, with Mr H J Shaw, the captain, in command, arrived at the place, and one steamer followed.
The firemen who had initially been roused had already set up the hose-reel and by 12:35 the hydrant jet was at work. With the arrival of the tender other hydrant jets were turned on and the fire was quickly subdued. It was not necessary to use the steamer.
The back section of the house was totally gutted.
The first floor having collapsed and the stair-case burnt away.
There was considerable damage by fire and water.
The bedrooms were unfurnished and the only article of value destroyed was the sewing machine belonging to Mrs Bailey, which was not insured.
A cat died in the fire.
The manner of the fire starting was not ascertained following inspection by the captain of the brigade and the chief constable."