Between 350 and 400 chickens, mainly in incubators, were burnt to death through a large chicken run on allotment ground near Trafford-road, Rushden, catching fire yesterday morning.

The run, which is owned by Mr. G. S. North, dentist, of Rushden, and which was constructed mainly of wood and corrugated iron sheeting, was razed to the ground.

The outbreak is believed to have originated through a lamp in an incubator. Attempts were made to quench the flames with buckets of water, and at 9.50 a call was sent to the Rushden Fire Brigade, who turned out with the motor pump within three minutes, under Second Officer W. Packwood. The firemen were Messrs. C. Green, L. Bridgeford, F. Tassell and F. Tear.