When was it published?

March 2, 1770 in The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Domestic News March 2, 1770

The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Q: What keywords are associated?

Charlestown Jail Fire, Prisoner Escape Attempt, Near Disaster, High Winds

Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

View full issue View on Library of Congress PDF Page 3

What is this article about?

In Charlestown, a prisoner in the jail attempted to burn a hole in the floor to escape one night, but the fire spread to the room above, alerting a fellow prisoner who raised the alarm. Neighbors quickly extinguished it, preventing potential widespread destruction due to high westerly winds.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

The same Night a Prisoner in a lower Apartment of the Goal at Charlestown, endeavoured to burn a Place to make his Escape, but not having Water enough to quench the Fire when he had burnt the Hole,--- the Fire proceeded up into the Room above him, and awaked a Prisoner that was there, who immediately alarmed the People in the Neighbourhood by crying Fire! They had an Opportunity of putting a stop to it, & very providentially; for the Wind being exceeding high at about West, the greatest Part of the Town would have been in great Danger of being laid in Ashes.

What sub-type of article is it?

Fire Crime

What keywords are associated?

Charlestown Jail Fire Prisoner Escape Attempt Near Disaster High Winds

Where did it happen?

Charlestown

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Charlestown

Event Date

The Same Night

Outcome

fire extinguished promptly; no further damage or injuries reported.

Event Details

A prisoner in a lower apartment of the jail at Charlestown tried to burn a hole to escape but lacked water to quench the fire after making the hole. The fire spread to the room above, waking another prisoner who cried 'Fire!' and alerted the neighborhood. Residents stopped the fire quickly, averting danger to much of the town due to high westerly winds.