Shortly before midnight on Saturday a disastrous fire broke out at Higham Ferrers, resulting in the destruction of the currying factory of Mr. R. B. Sanders and of an old thatched cottage adjoining.

The outbreak appears to have been discovered at about 11.45p.m. by Mrs. Holmes, of Kennel Row, which is close to the factory buildings, and an alarm was at once given. A passing cyclist hastened to call the Higham Fire Brigade, and Mr. W. Sanders, who resided at the house in front of the factory, was called at once. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders and their child were soon out of danger and the furniture of the house was got out and taken to a piece of ground on the opposite side of the road.

The Outbreak

The fire broke out in the back part of the factory, which is the last block of buildings ion Higham on the road to Irthlingborough. The buildings were formerly used for the Higham gasworks before the present works were erected at Rushden. Adjoining and in front of the factory is the house of Mr. W. Sanders, who was at home with Mrs. Sanders and their child, and on the other side of the entrance gate is the leather stock-room. Next along the street was situated the thatched cottage of Mr. Baxter and Mr. Goode’s house. The position of the building is such that the blaze could be easily seen at Rushden, Irthlingborough, and the surrounding district, and in a few minutes a dense crowd of spectators had assembled. Among the earliest to arrive were members of the police force, who rendered valuable assistance in keeping the lines of hose clear, and in many other ways. Among those in attendance were Supt. Onan (W’boro), Inspector Bailey, P.S. Ellingham, P.C.'s Gotch, Jowers, Busby, and Kembery (Rushden), P.S. Powell (Finedon), P.C. Powell (Higham), and P.C. Hankins (Irthlingboro’).

A Narrow Escape

It was evident that the inmates of the thatched cottage—Mr. Baxter, his son and daughter—were in considerable danger, but for some minutes efforts to arouse them failed, probably because it is no uncommon thing for persons walking along the footpath to tap on the windows. At last one of the men who had collected smashed one of the windows, and this had the desired effect. The Baxters quickly dressed and were none too soon out of the cottage, for the thatch had caught fire and the bedroom were filled with suffocating smoke. As much of the furniture as could be removed was got out of the cottage by willing helpers and taken to a place of safety. It appeared possible that the house occupied by Mr. Goode might be involved in the conflagration, so the furniture was got out as a matter of precaution.

The Fire Brigade

turned out with commendable promptitude, and in two or three minutes from the alarm being given several members of the Brigade were on their way to the scene of the fire with the hose cart. The rest of the members, called together by means of the signal rockets, were soon on the spot and under the direction of Capt. F. Joseph Simpson and Vice-captain Martin four lengths of hose were fixed to hydrants at various spots round the block of buildings. So fiercely did the fire burn, owing doubtless to the presence of large quantities of grease, chemicals, and leather, that it was seen to be impossible to save the factory. The Brigade, therefore, confined their efforts to saving the surrounding property and in this they were completely successful. Jets of water were kept playing at the back of Mr. Sanders’ house, on the leather stock-room, and on the house occupied by Mr. Goode, and none of these three buildings was involved. There proved to be ample pressure in the water mains, and though the manual engine was brought to the scene in readiness for use it was not brought into action.

The Signal Rockets

at Higham were heard at Rushden, and at 12.12a.m. a call was received for the Rushden Brigade. Capt. Knight with Engineer C. Green, Firemen Wildman, Barker, Whiting, and Sparrow, were at the Fire Station in a few minutes and on the arrival of the horses started for the scene of the outbreak, where they arrived at 12.30. The engine fire had been lit on the way, and in about eight minutes there was a 20lb. head of steam. The steamer was set in the lane at the back of the factory, and a large quantity of water was thrown on the burning building by the powerful engine.

The progress of the fire was so rapid that in little more than an hour the factory was completely destroyed, nothing but the blackened walls and a mass of smouldering debris remaining. It was very fortunate that the wind blew the flames towards Irthlingborough: if the wind had been in the opposite direction Kennel Row and the homes near the Walnut Tree must have been destroyed. Even as it was a great deal of apprehension was felt by the occupiers.

The Damage

Mr. Sanders was on the point of removing to his new factory at Kempston, Bedford, and some of the machinery had already been removed. A considerable quantity of stock however, remained. On Mr. Sanders’s removal the factory was to have been occupied by Mr. Hobbs, of Irthlingborough, whose premises were recently destroyed by fire. Work was to be commenced by Mr. Hobbs at Higham on Monday next, and much sympathy is felt for him and for the employees who were thrown out of work by the Irthlingborough fire. Beside the leather in the factory, a gas engine, splitting, shaving, and other machines were destroyed, and the total damage to machinery and stock is estimated at £4,200. The damage to buildings is put at £1,500. The losses are covered by insurance.

The origin of the fire remains undiscovered.

On Sunday morning several walls which were in an unsafe position were pulled down by the Higham Brigade, and Vice-capt. Martin and other firemen watched the smouldering ruins throughout the day. Many thousands of persons visited the locality during the day and a collection was taken for the benefit of Mr. Baxter and his family.