The village of Yelden, situate on the borders of Bedfordshire, was on Friday evening the scene of a farm fire, which resulted most disastrously, destroying property and stock to the value of £400 or £500. The outbreak occurred at what is locally termed Bottom Farm, being the most distant of the four farms owned by Mr. H. S. Hoare, and situated near the Brickworks.  It was first noticed by two young fellows named Parker and Robinson.  Being Friday night, the farm hands were at Top Farm, the residence of Mr. James Soames, steward, receiving their wages. On noticing a flame burst from the eaves of a thatched cow-house and implement shed on the west side of the farm, the young men at once roused the foreman, and running into the fold yard in which the building was situated, liberated the cattle.  The yard was crowded with stock, and great difficulty was experienced in driving out the cows and pigs, the animals being terrified by the flames and smoke.  However, the yard was cleared, and eight valuable horses led out from the stables opposite.  The alarm was given in the village, and practically all the able-bodied men in the place turned out with buckets and pails to attack the flames, whilst Blacksmith Wicks set off on his cycle for the Rushden Fire Brigade.  On the opposite side of the road to which the farmyard lies a plentiful supply of water could be obtained from the brook which courses its way through the village, and with this the small army of helpers made stupendous efforts to cope with the flames, paying great attention to the ricks, of which there were two of wheat and one of straw, in an adjoining yard, and to the thatched roofs of the cottages close at hand, in which the foreman and horse-keeper resided.  By raising ladders, water was hauled to the thatch, and this inflammable material was kept continually damp, it being entirely due to the untiring energies of the villagers, and the fact that the wind was blowing south-east, thus carrying the sparks from the blazing building towards the road that the adjoining property was saved.  Unfortunately, owing to the amazing rapidity with which the flames spread, it was found impossible to liberate a number of young calves and a valuable in-calf cow from the burning shed, and these met with a horrible death. This was evident from an after examination of the ruins, when the bodies of ten calves and the cow, which had been roasted to death, were discovered among the debris. Knowledge of the out­break was received in Rushden about half-past seven, and the engine, manned by Firemen G. Bayes, Staniland, H. Seckington, G. Burgess, and J. Sparrow, with Secretary G, R Turner in charge, was soon en route, three horses having to be employed to haul the engine and its human freight owing to the heavy state of the roads. Firemen J. T. Colson and C. Green followed the engine a few minutes later. Captain F. Knight is away recruiting his health at Matlock, and Lieut. C. E. Bayes was out of town at the time, but the latter put in appearance later in the evening. Arriving on the scene the Brigade found the building, with the exception of a few charred stumps, completely gutted, but for over an hour they pumped water on the smouldering mass of wood and thatch at the rate of 80 gallons per minute, and at the end of that time the fire had been completely extinguished. This was not, however, before, in addition to the cattle, several wagons, carts, and other farm implements, which were lodged in the implement shed connected to the cow-house, had been destroyed. It is not known how the fire originated, but it is said to have made its first appearance it the south end of the building. The property destroyed was a long low shed, 132 feet by 18 feet, with brick foundations, and built entirely of wood with thatch roof.  It is insured in the Norwich Union.  As may be imagined, the visit of the Fire Brigade caused great commotion among the unhabitants and one lifelong resident, of some 70 years, was heard to say that he had never seen a fire engine at work at a fire before.  The greatest credit is due to both villagers and Brigade for the manner in which they set to work to get the flames under.