Page 301 - Reading Mercury

The premises were closed about half-past six in the evening, when all was
apparently safe. About a quarter to ten o’clock flames and smoke were discovered on
the ground floor of the mill, which in a short time spread over the whole of the
premises. The building was of great height, having been built many years ago, and
used as a silk factory. Mr. Wescott on purchasing the property fitted it up as corn and
seed mills, and the business having rapidly extended, fresh machinery and new
buildings had been from time to time added, until it became, we believe, the largest
business establishment in that trade in the country.
There was a staircase from the basement to the top of the building, and the flames
rushed up and spread from floor to floor with incredible rapidity. In less than half an
hour the mill was one mass of flames, presenting a grand, but sad spectacle. The
engine belonging to the town was soon on the spot, and Supt. Millard with his men,
directed their attention first to cut off the communication from the burning buildings
with the street. With great celerity the adjacent buildings were emptied of their
contents and pulled down, the engine also was kept continually playing on them, and
thus by great exertions the fire was prevented reaching the houses on the east side of
Peach-street, which frequently were in great danger, owing to the intense heat. In fact
the buildings repeatedly caught fire, but the flames were as often extinguished. The
fire, aided by a rather strong westerly breeze rapidly seized on the long timber sheds
and adjoining the mill, which were filled with foreign timber recently converted, and
as these burst with great fury, the flames illuminated the county for miles around.
And a great crowd of people assembled. Many from Reading even arrived at the
scene, and heartily set to work to remove the timber from danger; but so rapidly did
the flames spread that much which had been removed at an early period of the fire to
what was thought a safe distance was caught by the flames and destroyed.
For about three hours the fire burned furiously and as the roofs of the building fell
many of those who were rendering assistance were placed in danger from the falling
walls, but happily no one sustained personal injury.
It is difficult as yet to ascertain the exact amount of damage done, but it has been
estimated at about five thousand pounds, and we regret to learn that Mr. Wescott is
only partially insured in the Phoenix Office, so that he will sustain a heavy loss by this
disastrous event. The scene at the ruins has been visited by a large number of persons
and it will be a long time before the mass of brickwork and rubbish can be removed.
The heat was very great even on Wednesday evening. The origin of the disaster
cannot be distinctly traced, but Mr. Wescott attributes it to the heat and friction of the
machinery. The fire most probably had been smouldering for some hours, and must
have burst into a flame after the mill was closed.

th
Sat 13 July
THE LATE FIRE
We are requested to state that subscriptions are being raised on behalf of the men
who lost their tools on this occasion. Mr. T. Skerritt, of Wokingham, has kindly
consented to act as treasurer, to whom subscriptions may be sent. A list of
contributions already received will be found in our advertising columns.

BURGLARIES
On the night of Tuesday last no less than three houses in Wokingham were broken
into and one or two more visited by the burglars, but through the watchfulness of a
dog, in one instance at least, their designs were frustrated.

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