Mill fired at Derby
During last night's storm the lightning struck the extensive lace factory of Messrs. W. and T. Fletcher, of Derby, damaging the roof, and setting fire to the cotton on the machines. Being on full time, however, the night staff prevented what would have been a serious conflagration by their speedy action. The engineman, named John Hood, was struck, his eye being scorched and his right arm paralysed, his removal to the infirmary being necessary.

The Burton Chronical on 12 August 1897

THE THUNDERSTORM IN DERBY
LACE FACTORY STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
The storm which passed over Derby on Thursday evening was comparatively slight, but at the south side of the town there were noticeable, at about seven o'clock, several very vivid flashes of lightning. It was at this period that the lightning struck the extensive premises of Messrs William and Thomas Fletcher, lace manufacturers of Ormaston Road, and although the damage was not great, the factory experienced a very narrow escape from destruction by fire. The electric fluid first attacked the roof of the south wing, tearing up the slates for several yards, and charring the rafters slightly. It then ran along the steel shaftings and danced upon the machinery in extraordinary fashion. The cotton threads which were being converted into lace were set on fire, but were promply extinguished, and by means of the shafting the lightning found its way to the bottom storey, where its force was soon spent. It was on the ground floor that the engineman, named John Hood, who resides on the Uttoxeter Old Road, was standing, he having gone there with the night watchman to close the windows when the rain commenced. Hood was struck by the lightning, which scorched his right eye and paralysed his right arm. He was conveyed home in a cab, and afterwards treated at the Infirmary. He is likely to recover, but the doctor's opinion is that he was fortunate to escape with his life. As the factory is on full time, there are two "shifts" employed, and but for this there would probably have been no one in the place at the time, as the day "shift" leaves at six o'clock. If that had been the case, a big conflagration would have been inevitable. When it is mentioned that there are 30 lace machines in the building, and employment is found for about 400 persons, it is a happy circumstance that affairs are no worse than they are.

William Fletcher was born in Heanor in July 29th 1845. He was the first child of John of Parkfields and his wife, Mary (nee Earnshaw). As he grew up he began to learn the art of lace making at his father's business on Tag Lane.
In 1871 William and his brother Thomas set up their own lace business, W & T Fletcher at New Street, Long Eaton. In 1881 they decided to enlarge their business, and moved into factory premises near the Railway Bridge on Osmaston Road, Derby. Trade continued to flourish, so William and Thomas decided to start lace manufacture in Russia. In 1887 they built and equipped a factory in Moscow.
However, after 'insoluble problems' and after a quarter-of-a-century in business together, the partnership between the brothers was dissolved.
Now fifty-two, William decided to look for suitable premises in which to restart business on his own account. Eventually he found a 'small uneconomic foundry' on Nottingham Road, Derby. He bought this site in 1899, and began to lay the foundations of the company which was to become known as William Fletcher and Sons (Derby) Ltd.
Profiting from his experiences in Moscow, he built houses for his employees and a works institute in 1904.
In 1912, the business became a limited liability company with William and his three sons John Thorpe, Thomas, and Joseph Edward as directors. All products were sent to Nottingham where an office and a warehouse were established.
Text was taken from Derbyshire County Council. More information on their site.