An Exciting Time
Tropical Sun Causes Fire Outbreak in a Rushden Shop

The presence of mind of immediate action of two ex-service men prevented a serious spreading of an outbreak of fire on Monday afternoon, when a conflagration broke out in Mr. Cooper’s grocers and general stores at the corner of Crabb Street and High Street South.

At about 3.30pm Mr. F.W. Robinson, of 10 Beaconsfield Terrace, and his visiting friend, Mr. R.W. Currie of Scotland, were walking along the high causeway and about to turn into Crabb Street, when they noticed flames rising from a number of toys and fancy goods in the window. Mr. Currie tried to effect an entrance through the door, but found it fastened and the two young men smashed the window. A lorry happened to be passing at the time and this they stopped and taking two fire extinguishers, immediately began playing on the flames.

Aftermath of the fire

Meanwhile Mr. Cooper came to the scene with his extinguisher and neighbours aided with water.

In about a quarter of an hour the fire was put out and there was little for the Fire Brigade to do when they arrived on the scene.

The brigade’s turn out was very rapid. The call was received at 3.46pm and in five minutes Second Officer Packwood and the whole of the members arrived at the shop with a hose cart.

Considerable damage was done to goods in the shop window.