Excitement was caused in Rushden at 6a.m. yesterday (Thursday) by an outbreak of fire behind the boot factory of Messrs. Eaton (Rushden) & Co., Ltd., whose premises face Sartoris-road and Irchester-road. At first alarming rumours were quickly spread about 6.30 that the factory was gutted, but fortunately this was by no means the case. It appears that the fire was noticed first by a resident in Glassbrook-road, whose house is opposite the factory and only a matter of a dozen yards or so away. He immediately knocked up neighbours, who went for the Fire Brigade and to the factory to do what they could pending the arrival of the Brigade.  The gates were broken open, and the fire was found to be in a shed containing leather, crepe rubber, oil, etc., adjoining the factory.  Volumes of smoke rose from the place, but fortunately the fire had been seen before it had a chance to reach the factory or the premises of Messrs. W. W. Chamberlain and Son, heel manufacturers, which adjoins the shed in which the outbreak started.

  When the Brigade arrived (having left the station in four minutes), under Captain R. F. Knight and Second Officer Packwood, a single hose was connected by stand-pipe to the water main, and the fire was speedily quelled.  By a judicious play of water the gas engine and gas plant, which abut the storeshed, was saved, and the factory of Messrs. Chamberlain was not very seriously threatened.

  A storeroom built in Messrs. Eaton’s factory, containing leather, seems to have been the source of the fire, and a large portion of the leather was destroyed; but, though only separated from the main body of the factory by a single wooden door, the actual factory was untouched.  To get at the burning leather, a large area of corrugated-iron roofing had to be torn off.  The damage was confined to the shed and the leather store.  The employees were able to commence work during the morning.  It was only this week that they commenced working overtime.

Eatons Factory from Glassbrook Road corner