The outbreak occurred during the dinner hour. About one o’clock smoke was seen issuing from an upper floor of the four storied main building. Some delay was experienced in gaining admission to the building, and when an entrance was effected the premises were so well alight that although the people worked energetically little of the stock could be rescued.

The flames spread with extraordinary fury. The lower floors became quickly involved in the conflagration, and the fire penetrated the roof, which fell with a tremendous crash. The people rapidly removed furniture from the thatched cottages close to the burning building. It appeared probable that the block of property would become ignited, but this was prevented by the strenuous labours of workers, who mounted the roofs, and with buckets poured water upon that portion nearest the factory.

The Wellingborough Brigade, under Supt. Joseph Pendered, arrived in good time. It was hoped that they would be able to preserve that part of the factory adjoining the main building in which was the engine room and a good deal of machinery, but difficulty was experienced in obtaining water. The local men had thoughtfully dammed Strixton Brook, which runs along the valley. The manual engine was however, of insufficient power to pump the water up the incline to the factory. Resort had then to be made to the village wells.

The fire made astounding progress; roofs fell in and floors crumbled to the ground. At three o’clock nothing but the walls of the factory remained.

As to the origin of the fire, it is surmised that it began in the clicking room, and that it was due to the over-heating of the apparatus with which the factory was warmed.

Damage estimated at quite £2,000 was done. The contents of the factory were insured in the Northern Office, and the building itself was the property of the Northamptonshire Union Bank.

About 200 hands are affected by the fire.