Fire crews from all over the area fought a warehouse fire in Rectory Road, Rushden, all through the night on Sunday, and 12 men using breathing apparatus worked in relays to get at the seat of the fire.

The factory before the fire

The fire was at a three-storey warehouse used by Rushden Waste Co. Ltd, and owned by J. F. Cook and Sons (Printers) Rushden Ltd. At one stage Rectory Road was blocked to traffic for two hours.

The alarm was given at 9.47 pm. Fire crews from Rushden, Raunds, Kettering, Irthlingborough and Wellingborough directed by the deputy fire chief for the county Mr. J. Warden, tackled the blaze.

Inset: Mr John Humphrey - director

The fire was confined to one section of the large building where about 60-75 tons of un-baled paper and cardboard had been stored. It spread to the ceiling and set bales of paper alight on the next floor.
A director of the company, Mr. John Humphrey, thought the damage would run into several thousands of pounds.

In addition to the materials damaged there was some structural damage. Numerous panes of glass were broken by the heat.

In all the fire was serious, but it could have been far worse.

Due to the prompt action of the firemen there was no real danger of the fire spreading. However, as a safety precaution, Mr. Alfred Turner, 25 Victoria Road, whose house adjoins the warehouse, and his wife and two children, stayed with neighbours. The fire was under control by about 11 pm but crews stayed throughout the night. One crew was left on duty the next morning for cleaning up operations.