The Fire Brigades
The engines were all worked and the hoses laid along the leat which enters the building from the grounds of Stowford Lodge. The works engine came first and took up a position nearest the burning building. The Ivybridge, Plympton and the Stonehouse engines were all in the ground of Stowford Lodge. The Ivybridge engine superintendent, Mr. W. H. Full, a surveyor, and Captain W. Martin received the alarm about a quarter to seven and as most of the men were just going to work, they were at the mill in a few minutes. The Plympton Brigade, under Supt. W. H. Hockin, received the call about 7.10 am and twelve men and the engine were at the fire in about an hour. The Stonehouse Brigade were summoned about twenty minutes to eight. Mr. F. W. Thuell, captain of the brigade, accompanied by Mr. O. R. Matthews, deputy chairman of the District Council, and Mr Mitchell, chairman of the fire engine committee, motored out to prepare for the arrival of the brigade. Some members also motored out with 2,000 feet of hose and other gear. The rest of the brigade with the engine left Stonehouse about 8.05 and reached Ivybridge at 9 o’clock.
The effects of the Fire
For several hours, all the hoses were directed onto the burning debris at the bottom of the building. This consisted of bales of pressed rags and wood pulp, which continued for a long time to send up volumes of smoke. A number of cutting machines were also in the building.
No estimate can yet be made of the damage which must run into thousands of pounds. The buildings and their contents were insured in several fire insurance offices.
The saddest feature is that about 160 men and women will be thrown out of employment for a considerable time and the effect is likely to be seriously felt at Ivybridge. It is a mercy the fire did not occur an hour or two later, when all the women and girls would have been at work in the very top storey of the building. As the staircase quickly filled with smoke, their rescue might have been difficult
A squad from the George Street Church Ambulance Corps, Plymouth, was in attendance with the Stonehouse Fire Brigade.