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234 – 238 High Street Cottenham – 1676 fire

History of the Cottenham fire 1767

29th April 1676:

‘A Sad Relation of a Dreadful Fire at Cottenham four miles distant from Cambridge’ written by an eye-witness (republished 1995) describes this event that broke out at this location and spread along the High Street as far as the Fitzwilliam Cottage, just past the parish church.

The fire was spread on both sides of the street by a strong wind as far as the church where the roof lead began to melt and flakes were carried as far as Ely.

In all 100 houses as well as farm buildings and stack-yards were destroyed, but there was only one serious injury. Many churches throughout the country record donations towards the appeal fund.

The pamphlet states that the main street in Cottenham was called Fenning Street but that it had become better known as Church Street. The inhabitants are described as yeoman and substantial farmers with barns full of corn, straw and hay.

The fire started on Saturday 29th April about 10 am when most inhabitants were at Cambridge market. The cause of the fire is stated to have been embers from a fire thrown out after baking by an elderly farmer’s wife in the village. The embers caused some loose straw to catch fire which then set a stack on fire. Neighbours tried to put the fire out but the whole group of buildings belonging to the farm at Green End caught light and more embers were blown hundreds of yards away.

By three in the afternoon the whole street, up to three quarters of a mile, as far as the church was burning.

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