On 5 March 1732, one of the most destructive fires in Poulton-le-Fylde’s history swept through the west side of the Market Place, transforming the appearance of the town forever. At a time when most homes were built of cobbles with timber frames and thatched roofs, only a single spark was needed to unleash a devastating blaze. The fire broke out during the funeral procession of Geoffrey Hornby, one of Poulton’s leading landowners. It was customary for wealthy families to conduct evening funeral processions illuminated by burning tapers carried by mourners. As the procession passed through the Market Place towards St…