Day 72. Fire

These charred timbers in the western end of the timber-framed barn at Park Farm tell an all-too-common story. Tinder-dry sheaves of corn; thatched roofs; timber walls. Fire was the most feared calamity for farmers.

No written record survives of this fire, which probably happened in the early or mid 19^th century, but its extent is clear. The barn was originally four bays long, but now comprises two bays on the east of the threshing floor and half a bay on the west – where the charred timbers are found. This end bore the brunt of the fire and wasn't rebuilt to its full length.

The other end of the barn shows no sign of fire damage, suggesting the fire didn't extend too far. This may be due to the local people, who in the event of any fire would rush to haul the contents free and carry water to the flames. A grapple was kept in a public place, often the church porch, to drag burning thatch from the stricken building and those at risk nearby. 

A fire broke out on a farm in Tiddington, rented by Preston farmer Richard Salmon of The Cottage, early one morning in 1829. It was noticed by two men working on their allotments, who called for help at once. Everybody nearby rushed to the scene. Thomas Bruce, a wheelwright's son, leapt onto a horse without saddle or bridle and galloped to Stratford to sound the alarm. The fire bell was rung, the post horses were put to the engines and raced over. The local hunt, preparing for a day's ride, galloped for more buckets and tarpaulins.

It was too late. The house, now divided into four labourer's dwellings, the barns, stables and most of the ricks were already ablaze. The engines could do nothing but blast water over the remaining ricks while the men attempted to save the livestock. 

Seven cows were rescued from their stalls; the roof collapsed before the last could be freed. All the onlookers could then do was watch as the house, three barns and every other building were reduced to smoking ruins. Fifty bags of wheat, 300 fleeces and six ricks were destroyed at a cost of £1600.

The fire was one of a series in the district. The arsonist sent anonymous taunting letters to the local paper, but nobody was ever prosecuted for the crimes.

No wonder that few timber-framed barns survive. As soon as means permitted, farmers replaced them with brick and tiled structures, which had the overwhelming advantage of being fireproof.