Rushden Echo, 4^th January 1901, transcribed by Kay Collins

Alarming Fire at Rushden – Last Night

What might have proved a disastrous fire occurred in Rushden last night. When Mr. E. E. Keel arrived at his house, situated in a private road leading off Wymington-road, at 9.p.m., he discovered smoke in the house. A hurried search showed that the cause was not on his premises, and he at once turned his attention to the next house, occupied by Mr. Darby, oil merchant, though at this time Mr. and Mrs. Darby were out. Here it was found that the front room was on fire, and while Mrs. Keel ran down into the town to give the alarm, Mr. Keel burst open the door, and found the drawing room ablaze. Mr. and Mrs. Darby at this juncture arrived, and other assistance was soon forthcoming. Fortunately, although the town water was turned off, there was plenty of soft water obtainable, but even then it was some time before the flames could be got under, and in fact the flames had so far obtained a hold that they burst through the window and ran up the side of the house. Mr. F. Knight, captain of the Fire Brigade, was soon on the spot, and under his directions the flames were conquered, this being done about 10p.m. Everything in the drawing-room was absolutely destroyed, with the exception of one or two articles that could be removed, while many things in the back-room were spoilt with smoke, fire, and water. The front-room this morning presented a scene of the utmost desolation. The walls and ceiling were blackened and some begrimed, the paint on the doors was blistered and scorched, the windows broken, the floor in one place burnt right through, while in centre of the room was a heap of charred remains—all that was left of the furniture. The damage is estimated at £200, fortunately covered by insurance. Among the articles destroyed were several valuable oil and water colour paintings, and also a very old and valuable engraving of All Saints Church, Northampton. A piano in the room was also very much damaged, while a valuable sideboard was burnt to ashes. The fire, it is thought, was caused in a peculiar way. The hook on which a 50 candle-power lamp was suspended in the back room broke, letting the lamp crash on to the table. From thence it rolled on to a mat near the door, igniting a mat on the other side. The sideboard caught fire, and then the other articles in the room. The lamp did not explode. But for the energy and promptness of Mr. Keel, there can be no doubt that a most serious conflagration would have ensued, for, situated as the houses are, some distance from the road, it was not likely that anyone passing would have perceived the outbreak until it was too late.