BREWERS’ JOURNAL 15th FEBRUARY, 1926

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EXTRACTED FROM:- THE BREWERS’ JOURNAL 15TH FEBRUARY, 1926

A fire broke out in the malthouse at the Mortlake Brewery of Messrs. Watney & Co Ltd (Mortlake) at 9.45 p.m. on the 13th inst., and by 10.30 the premises were well alight.

The malthouse is close to the riverside, and fire floats and shore engines were needed to deal with the outbreak.

A strong wind was blowing and the main buildings, which cover about seven acres, were soon involved. Brigades from the neighbouring areas were summoned, but the flames spread almost the entire length of the river frontage of the premises (about 300 yards), and the efforts of the brigade operating on the shore were directed towards saving the buildings farther inland.

The maltings and four kilns were completely destroyed. At 12.30 a.m., after nearly three hours’ hard fighting, the firemen had the blaze under control, but the main buildings were still burning. It is too early to make any accurate estimate, but the damage is extremely heavy.