The Great Haxey Fire

On the night of February the 28th to the 29th in 1744 “there happened a sudden and most dreadful fire” that destroyed much of Haxey Village. The fire started in a house near the church, believed to be a flax “manufactory”. Within 3 hours the fire had destroyed 62 dwelling houses. Many people were driven “naked into the fields”.

The fire was thought to be arson, but if so, the arsonist was never punished. Suspicion fell on an ex-employee who had a grudge against the owner of the flax manufacturer. He was arrested but when he appeared in court, no further evidence was available and so he was discharged.

The loss, said to be 5320 pounds 2 shillings and 9 pence in destroyed property and goods, was alleviated by a distress fund. Letters of request for assistance were sent as far as Boston. An account of the money distributed and the names of the distressed was published on the 2nd of May 1744.