Salmon Tin ‘Fusilade’ Gives the Alarm
Cat Victim

  A noise resembling a machine-gun in action awoke Mr. W. J. Neville, of High-street, Rushden, just before 3.30 on Sunday morning.  He went downstairs to investigate, and in the premises at the rear of the Home and Colonial Stores he discovered a fire blazing fiercely.  The “shooting” was the explosion of salmon tins in the heat.

  Mr. Neville at once telephoned the Fire Station, and the Brigade turned out very smartly under Capt. R. F. Knight.

  The flames had got a strong hold, and delay was caused by the fact that someone had to go along Bedford-road to turn on the water (now switched off at nights to conserve the supply).

  By the time the Brigade had started a motor pump from the hydrant in Alfred-street, smoke was coming through the front of the shop into the High-street.

  With great courage, and working at high speed they soon had the blaze under control.  They managed to save the front, and to prevent the flames from spreading to adjoining property on either side – Mr. Neville’s and Mr. Webb’s premises.

  A cat was found dead, which was not to be wondered at, as the fumes from salmon, sugar, tea and other goods which were in store was overpowering.  One fireman, Mr. L. Bridgeford, was so overcome that he had to be assisted off the premises.

  The Brigade was able to return to the Station at 5.30 a.m.  The store-room roof is in, but the main shop is intact, and business at the Home and Colonial was proceeding as usual on Monday.