Workhouse fire: fire engine in chains and frozen hose

Prompt action by firemen averted what might have been a disaster at Cuckfield (Sussex) Institution last evening, when a store-shed near the main building caught fire.

The shed contained straw, potatoes and coal. On one side, separated by only ten yards, was the Institution nursery, in which were a number of children. On the other was a tank containing 2,000 gallons of crude oil.

Although it was necessary for the Haywards Heath Fire Brigade to put chains round the wheels of their engine to make any progress along the snow-covered roads, they arrived in time to get the outbreak under control in half an hour.

Water was drawn from an underground tank, and immediately the flow was stopped the hose became frozen. Directly the alarm was given the children were quickly removed to a safer part of the building, and a number of the nurses assisted the staff brigade to fight the flames

The Daily Chronicle, 31 December 1927

Contributed by Malcolm Davison.

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