Source: The Essex Herald, 21st June, 1892.
Yesterday (Monday) morning, about ten o’clock, an alarming fie broke out at Hardings Farm, Greensted, near Ongar, in the occupation of Mr. William White. Mrs. White observed smoke coming from the barn, and, upon going to see what was the mater, she found that the premises were on fire. He immediately sent for her husband and son, who were in the fields. They did all they could to extinguish the flames, and Mr. Surridge, who lived close by, rode into Ongar on a bicycle for the Fire Brigade. He arrived about a quarter past 10, and the engine was at once got out and proceded to the scene of the fire, arriving about 5 minutes to eleven. By this time the farm premises were razed to the ground, with the exception of the dwelling house and one of the piggeries, which was detached from the other buildings. The property destroyed consisted of cow-houses, cartsheds, double barn, piggeries, corn and chaff house, bullock shed, mealhouse, toolhouse, granary, hen house, &c. a stump of meadow hay and a small quantity of machinery were also destroyed. The damage is estimated at about £700. The premises are insured in the Union Assurance Office, through the agency of Mr. Fenn, Ongar. The cause of the fire is at present unknown.