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Messrs. Coe and Green’s

Rushden Argus, 16th October, 1914, transcribed by John Collins

Fire—A fire occurred at Messrs. Coe and Green’s factory on Wednesday, but by a very fortunate circumstance was prevented from assuming alarming proportions. The outbreak occurred through the boiling over of a wax-pot of one of the machines, and was noticed by a workman having his dinner. Had the day been fine there would in all probability have been no one in the factory. The alarm was given, and Mr. Whiting turned out with the hose cart. He was assisted by Councillor T. Wilmott, but before the hose was fixed the fire had been subdued by the workman. The belt of the machine and several pairs of boots were burned.


Rushden Echo, 30th November 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Alarming Outbreak of Fire - Rushden Factory in Danger
Prompt Work by the Fire Brigade

An alarming outbreak of fire occurred at the factory of Messrs Green and Coe, boot manufacturers, Newton-road, Rushden, yesterday during the dinner hour. It appears that whilst the workpeople were out of the factory a wax-pot attached to a stitching machine boiled over, and the flames ignited, flames shooting up to a good height and creating a dense volume of smoke.

Fortunately, Mr Hollowell, who was at work on his garden near by, noticed smoke pouring through the windows and called the Fire Brigade. In four minutes the hose cart and a contingent of firemen were on the spot, the hose was attached to a hydrant in Newton-road, the fire was faced, and all danger speedily averted.

The firemen present comprised Third-Officer R F Knight, Engineer C Green, Firemen C Timpson, A Jaques, J Wooding, and L Bridgeford, under second-officer G R Turner. It is entirely owing to the promptness with which the Brigade responded to the call that a serious conflagration was averted, as otherwise no doubt the whole of the factory would speedily have been involved. The damage, which is covered by insurance, fortunately is but slight, that done being caused principally by water.


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