An alarming outbreak of fire occurred on Friday evening last at 8.45 at the drapery establishment of Mr. L. Phillips, High-street, Rushden. A lace curtain which was hanging over one of the windows must, it is thought, have been carried by a draught of wind to a gas jet. The curtain at once ignited, and in a second a great flame leapt up and other goods caught fire. A woman passing at the time was the first to see the outbreak, and she at once ran into the shop and gave the alarm. Mr. Phillips's assistants threw some hand grenades at the roof where the flames were spreading, and this action served to check the conflagration. Mean time Messrs. Tailby and Putnam, grocers, had noticed the outbreak, and they were quickly on the scene with the "Favourite" Chemical Extincteur, which they used with splendid effect, the flames being quickly subdued. Mr. Buckby, Mr. Headley, Mr. Whitsmith, Mr. J. H. Nunley, of Higham, and others rendered valuable help, and Mr. Hensher (Mr. Phillips's assistant) had the presence of mind to tear down another lace curtain and so prevent it from catching fire.

In answer to the inquiries of a "Rushden Echo" representative, Mr. Tailby said he considered every firm ought to have a chemical extinguisher. They took up hardly any room, and the value of one was shown at a time of emergency like the present. Their extinguisher had been in the shop for four years, and until the bottle containing the acid is broken the contents are simply a canister of water. The prices run from £1.1s up to about £7. Messrs. Tailby and Putnam will be glad tgo explain the working of the "Extincteur" to anyone who would like to see it. On Friday night the liquid came through the nozzle at great pressure.