Kirkby Malzeard & Laverton

St Andrew's Church Fire 1908

“Great grief has fallen upon Kirkby Malzeard over the terrible injury that has been done to the dear old church by a most disastrous fire…” The Yorkshire Observer, February 13th 1908.

There are conflicting reports as to who raised the alarm at 3.45am in the morning of February 8th. One report tells of a Miss Barker, a retired schoolmistress who lived in a cottage opposite the church raised the alarm, whilst another mentions the Ellis family, who alerted the church warden, Dr Mossman.

It seems that Dr Mossman then telephoned Mr Green in Ripon, who sent his chauffeur to Mr Clough, the newly appointed fire chief of the then volunteer fire brigade. He then assembled his men, they harnessed the horses, and galloped to Kirkby.
Reports agree that there was a strong wind blowing that morning, which helped fan the fire, and by the time the fire brigade arrived, the tower acted like a chimney so that sparks and flames streamed from it ‘like a train’. The interior was a furnace, and the 6 bells crashed to the ground – five of them smashed.

Around 6am the roof of the west end collapsed, followed by the chancel roof. The fire brigade pumped water from the beck, and when they tired they asked for volunteers, with even young girls helping. The next day, the volunteers were rewarded at Ripon Town Hall with 2 shillings each, which mostly went to the fund to rebuild the church.

In the days after the fire, the astute vicar took the opportunity to charge people a shilling to have a look, or two and six for a photograph!
The architects used for the restoration were J. Oldrid Scott and Son, Westminster, and their report highlights the following:
Cause of Fire: It seems to have begun in the North Aisle and was probably started by sparks or a down draught from the stove caused by the gale which raged that night. It spread thence to the Chancel and Nave and finally to the Fine Western Tower. All the roofs were completely destroyed, no vestige of the Oak Seats or Stalls remains, while the floors in the Tower as well as it’s roof were burnt. The exterior of the walls generally escaped with very slight injury, but the inner faces were seriously damaged and in every case the inner side of the windows especially the Tracery will require extensive repairs.

Unfortunately the church was under insured at £2730, and the restoration costs were £5063.