About midnight on Sunday the inhabitants of Rushden were rudely awakened from their slumbers by the cry of "Fire." It appears that Mr. Charles Allen, of Ebenezer-terrace, when returning from Higham Ferrers, had his attention attracted when near Victoria-street, by a light at the back of the confectioner's shop lately in the occupation of Mr. Mann, of Bedford, but now tenanted by Mr. Ward. He at once awoke the inmates, and gave the alarm to Mr. Eyte, at the "Feathers" where the keys of the engine-house are kept. The keys of the church were also obtained, and the fire-bell soon awoke the whole town. At the first alarm residents in the locality were aroused, and with commendable promptitude set about the work of salvage, which owing to the rapid spread of the fire, proved one of extreme difficulty. Amongst the first on the scene to render assistance were Messrs. B. and F. Vorley, Mr. A. Sinfield, Mr. Joseph Garley, Mr. George Willmott, and Dr. Freeman. The origin of the fire is unknown, but as the outbreak was first discovered just above the oven at the back of the confectionery premises, it is attributed to overheating. So rapidly did the flames spread that in almost as little time as it takes to tell it the flames had communicated with the roof of the main building. There was a strong breeze blowing, and the handsome row of shops were soon all alight. On the premises adjoining the source of the conflagration were sleeping Mr. Ward, Mr. H. J. Elder, and a servant girl, who seemed quite frantic when aroused. In the next shop, which is kept by Mr. and Mrs. Seymour, were the persons just named, with their child, and a servant girl; the third house and shop, as is well known, is Mr. Jordan's grocery store, heavily stocked, and with most inflammable materials. This was occupied by Mr. F. Jordan, Mrs. Jordan (his mother), and Miss Jordan (sister). The fourth shop, the last in the row, with the dwelling house adjoining, was occupied by Mr. Wilkerson, chemist, who is the owner of all the block; and in the house were Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson, their child, lady help, assistant, and servant girl. As before stated, the fire started at the other end of the block, but it could have been easily coped with had the Fire Brigade, who arrived soon after the alarm was given, had a good supply of water. As it was, the engine was planted in West-street, and supplied as quickly as possible with water from the wells of Mr. Knight, Mr. Carter, and others in the vicinity. Before the Brigade got to work, however, the roofs of all the four houses were alight, and it was at once seen that there was no hope of saving the property. As an instance of the rapidity with which the fire spread, Mr. Seymour informs us it was but five minutes after he was aroused that the ceiling fell in, Messrs. Sinfield and Garley being in the act of entering the room to save some of the furniture when it came down. It was a grand sight to see the woodwork of the roofing all alight, but this grandeur was surpassed when the fire, burning downwards, caught the combustible goods in the front shops. As each ceiling in its turn fell, a great volume of flame burst forth from the windows on the street, and the lead that had been used for plumbing purposes ran down like water. So intense was the heat that the road, which had been soaked by the rain the previous night was dried up on the side near the fire, and water had to be poured on the hose. The bedsteads could be seen hanging through the half-consumed floorings, until all came down in a confused heap. Between three and four o'clock the wall-plate on the north side of Mr. Wilkerson's house fell with a great crash, but fortunately the Brigade and others rendering assistance managed to escape serious injury. The scene on Tuesday was very dismal, nothing but the bare and blackened walls standing, and being in a very unsafe condition, have since been taken down. The value of the buildings alone is estimated at £2,000, but only about half this sum is covered by insurance in the Phoenix Fire Office, of which Mr. Wilkerson is the local agent. To this loss must be added a great amount of provisions, drapery, china, chemicals, and confectionery, and the fittings and furniture of the various householders, the total loss being estimated by some at about £4,000. This Rushden Feast will be remembered for some time to come, and it is a somewhat remarkable coincidence that 12 months ago the Fire Brigade were engaged at an extensive fire at Caldecott.
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