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ALARMING AND DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT HILSEA.—A very destructive fire broke out at about 2 o’clock on Monday morning on the premises known as the Coach and Horses, situated at Hilsea, near Portsmouth. The origin of the fire is not at present known, and although the fire engines from Hilsea Barracks were soon on the spot and every assistance rendered by the military authorities, yet nothing could be done to arrest the progress of the flames, which eventually destroyed the whole of the building, furniture, &c. The premises are insured in the Guardian Office. Mr. E. Webb, of Highfield, near Southampton, is the lessee of the premises under the War Department.
— Hampshire Advertiser, Wednesday 05 October, 1870 source
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TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE “COACH AND HORSES,” HILSEA.—On Sunday night, about half past 12 o’clock, a fire occured at the old “Coach and Horses” public house, opposite Hilsea Pond, which resulted in the total destruction of the house. It was discovered by a man named Warner, who resides in a cottage opposite. He had retired to rest, and about half past 12 he got up, and happening to look out of the window, saw the flames bursting from the front-room window. He immediately gave an alarm, and the fire engine from the Hilsea Barracks, under the command of a lieutenant of the B Battery of Royal Artillery, was soon on the spot. No water but a small supply from the Hilsea Pond could be obtained, and the house was completely gutted, nothing remaining but the bare walls. Mr. Middleton, the landlord, had fortunately taken nearly all his furniture out of the house to Portsea, as it was his intention to quit the same day, and consequently he sustained no serious injury. The house, which is Government property, and let to Mr. Webb, of Southampton, for whom Middleton has been managing the business, is insured in the Guardian Fire Office for 250l., and the furniture in the London and Lancashire Fire Office for between 50l. and 60l. It is stated that the fire originated in the bar, but it is not known from what cause.
— Hampshire Telegraph, Wednesday 05 October, 1870 source
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DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF THE “COACH AND HORSES,” HILSEA.—Half an hour after midnight on Sunday as John Cross, a stonemason, residing at Hilsea, was returning home, he observed that the Coach and Horses, an old established inn, built on a side road off the direct London-road at Hilsea, was on fire. Cross immediately burst open the front door, and alarmed the inmates, succeeding in rescuing Mrs. Middleton, one of her children, and a female domestic servant, who slept on the premises on the night in question. The men of the B battery of the 11th Brigade Royal Artillery stationed at Hilsea, manned the fire-engine and proceeded to the spot, but in consequence of the scarcity of water, the only supply being a well in the neighbourhood, the preventive means could make no headway against the burning premises, and in one hour after the alarm was raised the house was completely gutted. The building is the property of the War Department, and is leased to Messrs. Simmons, of the Hyde Brewery, Winchester. It had been sub-let to Mr. George Middleton, who was in occupation at the time of the fire. The latter had completed arrangements for taking a house in Landport, and was absent in Portsmouth with a son of his on the night in question. The following day it was intended to quit the hostelry, it having been let to another tenant. The house is insured in the Guardian Fire Office for £250, and the furniture for £60 in the London and Lancashire.
— Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette, Saturday 08 October, 1870 source
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FIRE.—The Coach and Horses, a well-known roadside public-house, situate at Hilsea, near Portsmouth, was burnt to the ground early on Monday morning last. The chief part of the furniture had been removed by Mr. Middleton, the landlord, who was about to quit the house, but what remained was totally consumed, only a small supply of water, from Hilsea pond, being obtainable. The premises, which are Government property, and let to Mr. Webb. of Southampton, were insured, as well as the furniture. The fire originated in the bar.
— Hampshire Chronicle, Saturday 08 October, 1870 source