| Considerable excitement was caused in Rushden on Monday, when the alarm was given that a fire had broken out in a warehouse belonging to Mr. J. R. Bye & Co., grocers, situated in the block of buildings between High-street and Church-street. The police and fire brigade were summoned by the fire bell, but their efforts to subdue the flames were hampered by the scarcity of water; indeed, it was fully a quarter of an hour before the supply could be obtained. The spot where the fire originated is surrounded by buildings and fears were at first entertained that the conflagration would spread to the adjoining properties. The hose was fixed to a hydrant in Church-street, and after playing on the buildings for some minutes it was seen that the brigade, had the fire well in hand. A large crowd of people congregated in Church-street and at the backs of the adjoining houses, but good order was kept. The fire was confined to the upper storey of the buildings, the roof being entirely burnt away. Mr. Bye was away from the premises at the time of the outbreak. Insurance in the Phoenix Office covers £50 of the damages, but Mr. Bye estimates the loss at fully £100. Various kinds of groceries were stored in the building, including a quantity of matches, and it is surmised that the outbreak may have been caused through the ignition of the matches. Mr. Bye's bicycle was in the burning storeroom and was completely wrecked. |
