Source: Bell's Weekly Messenger, No.1863, Sunday, December 18, 1831
In the middle of that part which is called the Old Town of Croydon, a fire broke out on Wednesday night, after twelve o'clock, in the store-house of a fellmonger, full of wool, the whole of which, and the building, were entirely consumed; and had it not been for the speedy arrival of the fire engine, and having plentiful supply of water, the fire would have increased to a very alarming extent.
Thursday morning two large barns full of corn, two stables, a cow lodge, and other outbuildings, the property of Mr. Headley, Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire. Loss of property, upwards of 3,000l.
A fire broke out in the village of Harmondsworth, in the Colnbrook road. A large building was on fire, containing a number of beasts stored therein, to fatten, belonging to Mr. Tillier, a farmer and grazier, but to which, from the timely discovery, very little damage was done, as the fire was soon extinguished, Mr. Tillier having a fire-engine of his own on the premises. It is supposed to be the act of incendiaries, as two men were seen running away from the premises shortly before the fire was discovered.—Times.
Friday night the stack-yard of Mr. Julland, at Coddington, near Newark; 500l. worth of corn consumed; two barley stacks and the out-houses saved.
Thursday night a wheat stack belonging to Mr. Barton, of Leverton, near Boston, several corn stacks adjacent saved.
Sunday night at Milton, near Alfriston, Sussex, a large barn containing the produce of several acres of barley, a considerable quantity of wheat, two adjacent hay-stacks, a waggon lodge, and other out-buildings, totally destroyed, belonging to Mr. Charles Ade, tenant to Earl Plymouth; estimated loss 2,000l.
Sunday night 9 wheat ricks and two barns full of corn were consumed at Barton Stacey Farm, Wiltshire, belonging to Mr. Smith.
The two men concerned in the attempt to set fire to Mr. Colman's corn stacks are fully committed for trial—Sherborne Journal.
Sir H. Durrant offers to present a cottage and two acres of land to any one who will bring to justice an incendiary. This will operate both as a preventive and as a means of bringing the villains to punishment.
A man named Brown has been fully committed, charged with burning the premises of Mr. Howes, of Besthorpe, Norfolk, on Friday fortnight. An accomplice names Rogers has been admitted Crown evidence. The case was investigated and traced out by a Bow street officer.
Another fire broke out at Milton Ernest, about midnight on Thursday last, on the premises of Mr. Balls, when a wheat hovel, containing about 60 loads, was burnt; this was completely surrounded by stacks of other grain and thatched buildings, which were fortunately saved by the engines from Bedford, and the exertions of the neighbours.—Bedford Chron.
Early on Wednesday night last a rick of barley, adjoining several others, belonging to the Earl of Sefton, at his seat, Stoke, Bucks, near Windsor, was set on fire; but, fortunately, was discovered before the flames had made any great progress.