Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 16 September 1932
Disastrous Fire
Brampton Farmer’s Ill Luck
Damage and Danger
An outbreak of fire, which for some time was fraught with alarming possibilities, occurred at Manor Farm, Brampton Bierlow, on Sunday night. Eight stacks, including tour of newly garnered corn, were completely gutted, together with a four-bay Dutch barn and farm implements standing near the stacks. Effort, to prevent the flames reaching the farm-house were successful, but for several hours the building was in peril, the flames from the stacks liking the doors and windows.
Brigades from Rotherham, Wath and Brampton Bierlow fought the fire throughout the night.
The farm is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Downing. With them were staying Mr. Downing’s sister and her husband. When the household retired to bed on Sunday night everything appeared to be in order, but shortly after 11 o’clock something disturbed Mrs. Downing, and she jumped up, crying, “Joe, get up, the farm is on fire.” The blaze could be seen through the bedroom window, but for some moments Mr. Downing was under the impression that the flickering lights were from a distant works. His worst fears were confirmed when he went to the window and saw sheets of flame coming from a stack of hay standing just outside the farmyard.
A high wind was blowing at the time, and unfortunately this carried the flames in the direction of the Dutch barn and the house. Rushing downstairs. Mr. Downing telephoned for the brigade and then went bank to see what could be done. Although the heat was terrific he managed to set free a number of pigs and calves housed near the stacks, and drove them out of the farmyard into the open road. He was just in time to retrieve a motor car from the garage.
The brigades were quickly on the scene. It was obvious from the first that nothing could be done to save the stacks from destruction, but gallant efforts were made to quell the flames. After some difficulty a hose was connected with the clay pit at the bottom of Packman Road, some two or three hundred yards distant, and later another was connected to the mains. The pressure of water, however, was not great, the farm standing on the top of a hill. Several hours elapsed before the blaze began to subside, and in the meantime the Dutch barn collapsed. Efforts were concentrated on preventing the farmhouse becoming involved, and there was also danger of the fire spreading to a neighbouring farm.
Meanwhile people in the neighbourhood were disturbed from their slumbers and a crowd quickly gathered. Miners dashed buckets of water on to the wall of the farmhouse and the doors and windows. At one time the roof of the farmhouse was completely enveloped in a sheet of flame.
The blaze illuminated the countryside for miles around. Mr. Edgar Newsome, who is employed by Wombwell U.D.C., was turning out lamps on the Wombwell housing estate a mile and a half away, when he noticed the blaze. He and a friend reached the spot shortly after midnight and saw the fire at its worst. He said the firemen had great difficulty in getting an adequate supply of water, and the Rotherham brigade had to take their engine to the clay pit in Packman Road. He said
Mrs, Kendrew. 9, Packman Road, said the heat from the fire could be felt where she lived, and the wind carried the smoke towards them. Looked at from the bedroom it was a terrific spectacle in the blackness of the night. They had never seen a fire like it before.
The fire recalls a tragic happening at this farmstead in January of last year. On that occasion someone rushed in with the news that the farm was on fire, with the result that Mr. Downing’s mother collapsed and died almost immediately from shock. Last Sunday night young Mrs. Downing suffered severely from shock and excitement, and she was removed during the night to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Steer, at Brampton School House.
Mr. Downing was greatly upset by the fire and the prospect of the loss and inconvenience it will entail. Seen by a “South Yorkshire Times” representative he said he was completely at a loss to understand what caused the fire, especially as it originated in a stack that was only erected a few days previously. The conditions, he said, could not have been worse for the brigade, as the wind was blowing straight across the farmyard. There was a grave danger of the farmhouse becoming, involved until the wind veered slightly into the north-east and carried the flames away. The damage will not be far short of £1,000 but the stacks are insured.
At one period the heat of the fire was so great that apples growing on trees close by were partially roasted.
Rotherham Corporation Brigade received a call at 11-58 p.m. Sergt. Green was in charge, and the Chief Constable (Mr. R. Hall) arrived at the scene soon after. The brigade took No. 4 engine and trailer pump. Water was got from a pond in the backyard about 500 yards from the stackyard, seventeen lengths of hose being required. As soon as this line bad been got to work another line of hose, also consisting of seventeen lengths, was laid. After about two hours’ hard work, in which all three brigades co-operated, all danger to the farm house was overcome. It was, however, necessary for the firemen to remain on duty, so as to make sure that all mouldering fire should be thoroughly extinguished.
The farmstead is the property of Earl Fitzwilliam. In the course of Monday afternoon Colonel W . B. Landon, agent to Lord Fitzwilliam, visited the farm. Coun. W. Brooke, J.P., chairman of the Rotherham Corporation Watch and Fire Brigade Committee also called and expressed sympathy with Mr. Downing.
The Wath Brigade withdrew from the scene of the fire at noon on Tuesday, having been in attendance for over 36 hours. Rotherham Brigade continued until midnight on Tuesday, thus completing 48 hours, during 34 of which the pumps were working.