Stanwick Hall, an old stone built residence on the outskirts of Stanwick village, was the scene of a disasterous fire in the early hours of the morning on Thursday last.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Lay, who occupy the house as tenants of Mr. Denton, a farmer, made a dramatic escape from the house after Mr. Lay had awoken to find the bedroom full of smoke. Soon after they escaped the staircase and bedroom floor collapsed, leaving the bed balanced on a single beam.
A pathetic incident in connection with the fire was the discovery of Mrs. Lay’s favourite Irish terrier lying suffocated in the bathroom. It was untouched by the flames, but had been suffocated by the smoke and fumes. At Mr. Lay’s request firemen smuggled it out of the coachhouse, and the body was buried before the news was broken to the dog’s mistress.
Valuable household furniture and antiques were destroyed by the fire.
Rushden Fire Brigade received a call at 2a.m. and the firemen turned out in four minutes with the motor pump and tender, under the command of Captain R. F. Knight and Second Officer Packwood.
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