Another Fire in Hastings.

Hastings Standard, Issue 127, 22 September 1896, Page 2

Another Fire in Hastings.

At 10.50 last night the fire-bell announced that Hastings, which has been somewhat dilatory in this respect lately, had once more proved her claim to the title of the " Town of Blazes." The reflection on the sky indicated the direction of the large building known as Miss Hodge's school, and some anxiety was felt for the safety of that institution. Further research, however, discovered a fourroomed cottage, the property of Mrs Ebbett, and occupied by Mr Chudleigh, gardener, a sheet of fire and totally beyond the aid of the Brigade, which turned out unler Captain Brousch, with the usual laudible promptitude of that body. The cause, as usual, remains a mystery; but Mrs Chudleigh supplies the information that she and her husband, the only occupants of the house, retired to rest at the usual time, leaving the fire in the front room alight, and being awakened by the suffocating fumes of smoke, she had barely time to snatch up Mr Chudleigh's watch from the table and a small trunk containing her own marriage certificate, together with a few other articles, and for both to rush out in their night clothes. The fire originated in the front room, and though nothing is positively known, the calamity is attributed to a defective chimney, to which Mrs Chudleigh called her husband's attention some time ago. The Victoria held a risk from Mrs Ebbett on the cottage for £l6O, but every stick of furniture and other property belonging to the old couple fell a prey to the flames, and as there is no assurance on them and as there value is estimated at £7O the loss is very severe. Mrs Chudleigh seems to feel the blow keenly, and the greatest sympathy is expressed both for her and her husband. The cottage was isolated, which was fortunate, as the fierce gusts of wind blowing at the time would have rapidly extended the fire with which the Fire Brigade, owing to the absence of water in the locality, would have been unable to cope.