Incendiary fire
About 1.45 on Sunday morning last an alarm was conveyed to the Liverpool fire station that a large oat stack, the property of John GORE, a respectable farmer, at Roby, about 4 miles from Liverpool was on fire. The alarm was brought by a man on horseback who had been despatched, immediately the flames were discovered. In about 40 mins after he had reached the fire station, two of the Corporation engines, and one belonging to the West of England insurance-office, arrived at the spot and were brought into play. Lieut MAXWELL. R.N, Inspector of Salvage for the Liverpool insurance companies, proceeded to Roby in a coach, and, as usual rendered valuable assistance in extinguishing the flames.
Prior to the arrival of the engines several of the farmers and workmen of the neighbourhood were most actively engaged in throwing water upon a large haystack, which adjoined the oat stack, and in this manner succeeded in preventing the flames from extending beyond their original limits. In about an hour and a half after Mr MAXWELL reached the place the fire was completely subdued, but not before 200 bushels of very fine oats, part of the produce of a Cheshire acre and three-quarters of land were destroyed. The property was fortunately insured in the Atlas-office for £800.
There is but too much reason to believe that the stack was maliciously set on fire, for no fewer than five gates belonging to the adjoining fields, had been taken off their hinges and threw into the middle of the road, for the purpose, it is supposed, of impeding the progress of the engines to the place. The West of England engine came into contact with one of the gates, and was in danger of being overturned. Not far from the stack, about 40 yds a box of lucifer matches were found under a hedge.
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Liverpool Mercury, Aug 14th 1878
About 4am yesterday, the alarm was given at the central fire station, Hatton Garden that a fire had broken out in the Angel Hotel, Dale St. A body of the fire brigade under Superintendent COPLAND and the salvage corps under Mr YELLAND, with the fire engines, reels, ladders etc, were soon on the spot and it was found that the fire had originated in the laundry and drying rooms of the hotel. The firemen and men of the salvage corps set to work, but, owing to the construction of the premises, considerable difficulty was experienced in getting to the seat of the fire, and at times there was danger of the flames reaching the adjoining offices and warehouses. The hotel at the time was full of visitors and the breaking out of the fire caused the greatest alarm among them. Fortunately by the energetic efforts of the brigade the fire was prevented from spreading, but considerable damage was done by fire and water to the hotel and some of the adjacent offices. The loss is said to be covered by insurance.
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Liverpool Mercury, June 30th 1891
Retirement of Superintendent M'WILLIAM
At the weekly meeting of the Watch Committee yesterday, a letter was received from Superintendent M'WILLIAM, who since May 1880, has been at the head of the Fire Brigade stating that he desired to retire from the force in October next, when he will have shown 31 years service. General regret was expressed at the retirement of so able an officer, and it was decided to accept the resignation. Superintendent M'WILLIAM who is receiving £350 per annum, will have a retiring allowance of two-thirds of his salary. The committee decided to advertise for a superintendent to fill the impending vacancy. Of his 30 years service Mr M'WILLIAM has served 28 yrs in connection with fire brigade duties. When he first took part in the work of extinguishing fires the only appliances available were reels and manuals, and now the city possesses 5 steam fire engines, capable of throwing 320 to 1400 gallons of water per minute. The "Clint" was the first purchased in 1865, the "Livingston" in 1873 and then in 1884 two of the latest pattern were purchased, the "John Hughes" which can throw 1400 gals per minute, and the "Rathbone" Of the able services rendered by Mr M'WILLIAM frequent mention has been made, courtesy to superiors and those under him has always been a distinguishing feature of his character. He holds two diplomas one given by the Fire Brigade Association for bravery at the fire at Messers Lewis's buildings, Ranelagh St, and the other by the Humane Society for service at the great fire at Messers King and Heywoods drapery premises in Scotland Rd, when 35 inmates were rescued.
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Liverpool Mercury, June 17th, 1893
St Helens Fire Brigade condemned
At the meeting of the St Helens Water Committee on Wednesday, Alderman J. C. GAMBLE, presiding, Mr RUTHERFORD, formerly of the Bootle Fire Brigade who has recently been appointed superintendent of the St Helens brigade, submitted his report of the fire at Mr CORRIN'S shop. The superintendent said that the present brigade ought to be thoroughly re-organised. One half of the brigade were too old and infirm, the brigade was really in a terrible state. They had no proper appliances, and no proper harness for the horses. They had not even any spare lines, and at the fire that morning he was on the roof, and instead of being let down he had to fall down. The hose was in a sad state, two-thirds of it was out of repair, and there was nothing to repair it with and no one to repair it. One half of the brigade were totally unfit for work. There were only really four firemen, two working men and two policemen, and he had to rely solely on those. The brigade wanted some fresh blood in it, it was behind an ordinary local board brigade. For his own credit he wanted re-organisation. He came there with some reputation as a fireman, but he was losing it through no fault of his own. The Chairman asked him to make out a full list of his requirements and send them to the water engineer [Mr GASKIN] and in the meantime the committee would inspect the appliances. The committee subsequently visited the brigade yard adjoining the Town Hall and Superintendent RUTHERFORD explained the appliances to them
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