Swan Brewery following the devastating fire at West Kent cycle works 1910

There are many records of ‘stack-fires’ around the Westerham area as in any farming community, and some records for house fires, but probably the most serious fire Westerham has ever seen broke out at the premises of Edward Evenden’s ‘West Kent Motor Works’ during the night of July 1st 1910. From The Herald Saturday July 9:

DISASTROUS FIRE AT WESTERHAM – EAST END OF TOWN SERIOUSLY THREATENED, FIREMEN’S GIGANTIC TASK

Seldom, if ever, has a more virulent fire raged in the parish of Westerham than that which was discovered at the East end of town shortly after midnight on Friday. As to the exact origin and time of the outbreak, nothing can ever be known beyond the fact that it occurred at the West Kent Motor and Cycle Works, of which Mr E. Evenden is proprietor, completely gutting the building.

The fire was first discovered by Mr J Watkins, whose residence, “Stakes” adjoins Mr Evenden’s works. He was about to retire for the night when he was alarmed by a crackling noise, as of burning timber. Looking from a window he at once found that the motor works were fully ablaze. Realising the danger which threatened his own establishment, he immediately roused the household, and the maids, having hastily thrown wraps over their night attire, raced up the high-street to the “Herald” Office to give the alarm. Almost simultaneously, the Rev P.W. Beresford hurried off to apprise Mr C.W. Hooker, Captain of the Fire Brigade, of the conflagration, and the alarm met with a speedy response.

Acting with commendable forethought, Mr Watkins, on discovering the outbreak, immediately had ladders brought from the rear of his premises and placed against the malthouse to enable the Brigade to douse the fire from the roof of his building.

Meanwhile, a lady visitor at the “Crown” perceived the flames from an upper window of the hotel. Without a moment’s delay she made known her discovery, with the result that in a few minutes Fireman Whitmore hurried to the engine house, and with the assistance of some private individuals raced off to the blazing building with the hose cart.

By this time Capt. Hooker and the majority of the Brigade were on the spot, and, in a way that would have done credit to many a paid brigade, set to work to check the progress of the flames. They were faced with what seemed an insuperable task. The fire raged with a fury which it seemed no human power could quell, and dwellers in the vicinity were in a state of mind akin to panic. This was not to be wondered at. The doomed building was like a fiery furnace, from which the leaping flames threatened destruction to all the buildings around. At once realising the serious situation , the Fire Brigade Captain gave instructions for aid to be summoned from Sundridge and Sevenoaks, and Mr Hughes kindly hastened to the telephone and gave the call.

Again Mr Watkins did valuable service. Having a complete knowledge of the buildings, he was able to point out to the Brigade the most favourable positions from which to attack the fire; and needless to say his suggestions were speedily put into practice…

Photograph courtesy of Frederick Benson