Rushden Research Group: Heatherbrees Fire1916

The Rushden Echo, 15^th December, 1916, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Heatherbrees Fire

Alarming Fire At Rushden - Live Stock Burnt To Death

Agricultural Produce Destroyed - Farm Buildings Gutted

A serious fire, which resulted in the destruction of several farm buildings, grain, and valuable live stock, occurred at Rushden in the small hours of Sunday morning.

The property involved belonged to Mr. John Clark, and was situated on land adjacent to his residence, Heatherbrees, Wellingborough Road, Rushden, and near to the Midland Railway line. The call was received by the Fire Brigade at 12.20 a.m., and they proceeded with all haste to the scene of the outbreak, but unfortunately their progress with the steamer was considerably hampered by the state of the frozen roads, and by the time of their arrival the buildings were too well alight to admit of the possibility of anything being done beyond making an attempt to save some corn ricks and other property adjoining.

The alarm was first given to Fireman Sparrow, who lived nearest to the conflagration, and he at once sent a message through to the fire station. The firemen on duty comprised Second Officer G. R. Turner, Engineer Claud Green, Firemen J. Sparrow, J. Whiting, L. Britchford, H. Payne, C. Timson, J. Wooding, and A. Jaques. Great assistance in regard to salvage work was rendered by Inspector Osborne, Sergt. Brumby, PC Mattock and PC Sharman. The latter was amongst the first to arrive on the scene, and with the assistance of Mr. W. G. Wilmott and Mr. King was instrumental in releasing several beasts and pigs from the burning buildings. They were also successful in making an entrance to the burning cart shed, over which was a chaff loft, and they managed to remove some carts that had already ignited. Shortly afterwards Sergt. Brumby arrived on a “borrowed” bicycle, and the combined efforts of the helpers resulted in the salvage of six trolleys and farm carts before they had suffered much damage.

It was thought that the whole of the live stock had been got out of the burning buildings, until the agonised cries of the suffering horses provided touching evidence that they were dying a terrible death. By this time nothing could be done for the unfortunate animals, and three horses, four heifers, and one small calf perished in the flames. One rick of pedigree barley was also destroyed.

Pending the arrival of the Fire Brigade valuable work was done by Inspector Osborne, Mr. C. Clark, and the helpers above mentioned, who did their utmost to save the ricks with buckets of water, and it is largely due to their efforts that the remaining ricks and farm stock were not utterly destroyed.

One curious incident occurred amidst the tragedy, we understand. A new watch-dog which was chained to its burning kennel was naturally doing his utmost to break loose, and finally the fire, by loosening the staple which held his chain, assisted the terrified animal and he bolted off for dear life, and up to Monday had not been traced.

The fire was still smouldering on Sunday at 11 a.m., and the firemen were still playing on the ruins.

Second Officer and Lieutenant G. R. Turner, who, as is well known, is in command of the Rushden Company of the 2^nd Battalion Northants Volunteers, in addition to being Second Officer of the Fire Brigade, was on parade and undertook a route march on Sunday morning in spite of the fact that he had been strenuously engaged for practically the whole of the preceding night in doing what he could to save Mr. Clark’s property.

The damage, we understand, is covered by insurance. The cause of the outbreak is attributed to a spark from the engine of the last train on the Midland branch line.

Captain Fred Knight, J.P., was unable to take charge of the Fire Brigade owing to indisposition.

The Argus, 15th December 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins

Fire at Mr. J. Clark's

Disastrous Farm Fire
Horses and Calves Burnt at Rushden

A disastrous fire, involving damage amounting to thousands of pounds, occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning last at Rushden.

The buildings involved were the stables and farm building just between the railway line and the Wellingborough-road, Rushden, at the bottom of the first hill leaving Rushden, and they belonged to Mr. John Clark, whose residence is near by. An alarm was sent to the fire station at 12.30a.m., and very shortly the brigade made a smart turnout with the steamer under Second Officer G. R. Turner. But when they arrived at the outbreak they found the stables and buildings hopelessly involved, and very soon after the brigade got to work upon the flaming woodwork the whole structures collapsed like a pack of cards, sending up a great display of leaping flames, sparks, and smoke.

After the Fire

The tragedy of the whole affair was the fact that three valuable horses, besides five claves, were in the burning buildings, and these poor creatures were burned to death.

The brigade were successful in saving several stacks which were quite close to the buildings destroyed, but one stack of pedigree barley was destroyed. The building contained a gas engine and dynamo.

We understand that Mr. J. Clark was absent from home during the fire, but that the damage is covered by insurance. Mr. Clark had the misfortune to lose two ricks by fire last year, and it was believed that they were fired by a spark from a passing engine. The fire raged all through the night, and was still burning on Sunday morning, but the brigade had localised the fire and had it well under control. The firemen present were Engineer Claude Green, and Firemen J. Sparrow, J. Whiting, L. Britchford, H. Paynes, C. Timson, J. Wooding, and A. Jaques.

The greatest praise is due to Second Officer Turner, who worked all through the night and then returned home for a meal, turning out with the Volunteers for a route march on Sunday morning. This from a man well over 65 years of age shows stamina, and a keen sense of public duty. Before the brigade arrived excellent work was done by persons attracted to the neighbourhood by the fire. These persons succeeded in saving a number of beast from a horrid death.

It is reported that Mr. W. G. Wilmott, contractor, Rushden, who lives near the scene of the outbreak, was returning home by the 11.45p.m. train on Saturday and saw, as the train passed, that the buildings were apparently all right then. Soon after he reached home, Mr. King, of Tichmarsh, who was staying with Mr. Wilmott, noticed the fire, and they went to the spot. Mr. Sparrow, a Special Constable and fireman, also saw the fire as he was going off duty, and he gave the alarm to the police and Fire Brigade. Inspector Osborn, Sergt. Brunmby, and P.C. Sharman were soon on the spot, and a number of beast were released from the fire-attacked buildings.

Owing to the fact that Captain Fred Knight had been indoors with influenza for the past few days, the brigade was commanded by Second Officer Turner.

Great assistance was rendered by the police in salving property. P.C. Sharman, assisted by Mr. W. G. Wilmott and Mr. King, were first on the scene, and they were instrumental in releasing several beasts and pigs. They also succeeded in entering the burning cart-shed, over which is a chaff-lift, and removing three burning carts. Then Sergt. Brumby, who arrived on a commandeered bicycle, assisted, and the remaining six trolleys and farm carts were removed, very little burned.

It was thought that the whole of the live stock had been saved until the agonised cries of the burning horses told the sad tale that some poor creatures were suffering a terrible death. The state of the frozen roads considerably delayed the arrival of the Fire Brigade, but meanwhile excellent work was being done by Inspector Osborn, the two policemen, Mr. C. Clark, and other helpers who got to work on the ricks with buckets of water. There is no doubt that had it not been for the activities of the police and their assistants the whole buildings and the other ricks and farm stock would have been destroyed.

An incident which had its tragic, as well as amusing, features occurred during the fire. It was noticed the watchdog, a new one, was fixed to its burning kennel. The dog’s struggles were fierce, and eventually it broke away and bolted.