Wootton

Wootton Blaze, April 1956

Building gutted at Bridge House. 2 appliances from Ryde and one from Newport attended on Tuesday evening 10 April, and fought an outbreak of fire involving a stable and store at Bridge House, the home of Lieut. Col. D G Brodie, County Commissioner for the Boy Scouts.

Shortly before 7.30 pm Mr O Flux, 29 Kite Hill, adjoining Bridge House noticed smoke coming from a workshop, he went an told Lt. Col Brodie, who summoned the brigade. The flames spread to a brick built stable used as a store and connected to the house by a covered way. The firemen with Sub-Office L Williams of Ryde managed to bring the outbreak under control before flames spread to the house.

The slate roof of the stable, measuring c.40 x 20 feet collapsed. The workshop was destroyed along with cases of carpentry tools, equipment for boats and paint.