A fire broke out on Saturday evening at Mr and Mrs H Whiting’s house, St George’s-row, Chelveston. About 10a.m. the same day Mr Whiting’s chimney caught on fire and blazed for a considerable time. Water was poured down the chimney and the fire was thought to be extinguished, but unfortunately it broke out again about 5p.m., the occupants having left the house locked up, believing it to be safe. The fire originally in the chimney, had spread under the roof owing to a wooden beam being in the chimney. It is believed that the beam smouldered until more inflammable material caught fire, thus burning through the thatched roof and spreading to other property. Four stone-built dwelling-houses (in a row of eight) were soon involved, and the families are rendered homeless. They include an old couple, Mr and Mrs Isaac Knight (old-age pensioners), who have lived in the cottage all their married life, Mr Knight having been born in the house.

Mr Collis Baxter was about the first to see smoke issuing from near the chimney (after the chimney was believed to have been extinguished several hours), and he at once ran and got a ladder from Mr Tilley’s farm opposite, got on to the roof, helped by Messrs Harrision, Bondfield, F Baxter, and others, and poured water from buckets around the burning chimney. The stream running past the farm was dammed for a good supply of water. Mr Baxter and helpers worked hard, but were unable to subdue the flames, and they had to descend from the roof, which was soon considered unsafe. Mr Roland Tiney went to Higham Ferrers on his motor cycle to call the Fire Brigade, arriving just after 6p.m.  The Brigade arrived about 6.45, Second Officer Twelvetree being in charge in the absence out of town of Captain A Sudborough. The delay in arriving was caused by the difficulty in obtaining horses, the actual transport of the fire engine taking but a few minutes. By this time Mr Whiting’s house and the neighbouring houses were

One Mass of Flames,

Furniture having been taken from five of the houses by assistance of almost the whole of the village residents, and all was taken to safety except some of the bedsteads. The Brigade, having the advantage of a good supply of water, ran out about ten lengths of hose the 100yds or more to the stream, and help at the pumps was continually available. In the excitement of the pumping someone knocked Fireman F Wagstaffe, whose hand was caught by the down-coming handle, inflicting a nasty wound which had to be attended by a doctor. The force of the water not being enough to break the windows, the panes were smashed in with stones, so that the water could reach the source of the fire. The houses were played upon by the hose at the back and front, but the brigade could do nothing but confine the fire to the four cottages. Happily there was little wind. The four houses were burnt to the ground, leaving only the outside walls, some of which are over two feet in thickness. The names of the householders whose homes were burnt out are Mr and Mrs Isaac Knight, Mr and Mrs Thomas Newell, Mr and Mrs H Whiting and family and Mr and Mrs F Allen and family. The adjoining houses, occupied by Mr and Mrs Conquest, Mr and Mrs Andrew Harrison, and Mr and Mrs F Baxter, were saved almost miraculously by the gallant efforts of the Brigade and helpers, Capt. Sudborough joining the Brigade about midnight, and the police, under Supt. Macleod and Insp. Hankins, rendering excellent service. At 3a.m. the brigade ceased work, the flames having been extinguished. Two firemen remained all night.

St George’s-row is situated on the extreme left entering Chelveston from Higham, opposite Mr Tilley’s farm. The property belongs to Mr F Brittin, farmer, 16 Vivian-road, Wellingborough.

Mr and Mrs Knight are now living with their son-in-law and daughter (Mr and Mrs G Britten) at Chelveston, Mr and Mrs Newell are staying with the landlord’s son Mr S Brittin, Mr and Mrs Whiting have moved to the home of Mr Whiting’s mother at Higham Ferrers, and Mr and Mrs Allen to friends at Rushden.

The damage, running into some hundreds of pounds, is partly covered by insurance. Some of the householders had insured their furniture, and it was consequently very fortunate for them that the bulk of their belongings was carried out before the fire spread downwards.

On Sunday enormous crowds visited the scene of the fire.