On Friday night about 7.15, a barrel of solution, composed of highly inflammable constituents, caught fire in the rough stuff department of Messrs. W. Sargent and Co.’s factory, Crabb-street. It was surrounded by wooden packing cases and other inflammable goods, and was quite close to a door and a window. We understand that a bicycle lamp had just been lit and probably the smouldering match ignited the solution.

Mr. F. Darlow telephoned the fire Station and one of the smartest turn-outs accomplished by our local brigade was witnessed by an excited crowd. Considering that the members of the brigade do not reside on the premises it is astonishing how they managed to get on the scene so quickly. Within four minutes of the call a stream of water was being thrown on the flaming barrel. Capt. F. Knight, J.P., Second Officer G. R. Turner and third Officer R. F. Knight took command of the brigade, practically the whole of the members turning out. The hand-cart was quickly got out and run down Newton-road, along High-street South, to the bottom of Crabb-street, where there is a 12-inch water main. The hose was connected to this, and a powerful jet was soon being used. It answered practically as well as a forced jet from one of the steamers.

The flames, which had reached a great height, were reduced and eventually extinguished. The effect of the smart work by the brigade was that very little damage, comparatively speaking, was done and in 20 minutes there was no further fear of the fire spreading, as by that time the water had had its effect.

Beside the chief officers the following firemen were present :- Engineer Green, Resident-fireman Whiting, firemen A. Jaques, J. Sparrow, H. Payne, Timpson, Britchford, and Bollard.

FIRE!
Splendid Work by Rushden Brigade - Factory Saved

Undoubtedly the finest piece of work in the history of the Rushden Fire Brigade was accomplished on Friday evening; indeed, a smarter turnout and quicker repression of a dangerous outbreak it would be difficult to discover in the annals of any brigade.

About 7 p.m. on Friday a large drum of rubber solution became ignited at Messrs. Walter Sargent and Co.’s factory in Crabb-street, and in a few seconds a blazing furnace was in evidence. At 7.17 p.m. a telephone message was sent by Mr. Darlow from the factory to the Fire Station, and at 7.20 there were five firemen and a hose-cart on the spot, at work on a fire which threatened the whole extensive building.

To get an idea of the danger of the outbreak, it would be perhaps be as well to describe the situation. The factory is built in Crabb-street, surrounded by inhabited cottages. There is a small yard at one side which forms a kind of cul-de-sac about three yards broad. On the right-hand side is the factory, on the left are some buildings used for storing empty packing cases, and the top is formed by large wood doors which are the entrance to the leather storage. In this narrow place a large drum of solution was kept, lying on its side on a stout wood upright. Directly opposite is the open shed, in which are piled indiscriminately about 20 or 30 empty packing-cases. One will readily understand, therefore, that very few yards separated the drum from the inflammable boxes and the wood gates of the leather-room, the contents of which would, of course, burn with great fierceness.

It appears that the tap of the drum of solution, which is composed in a large part of naphtha, was left on and practically flooded the yard before it was discovered. Then someone went into the yard and lit a bicycle lamp, with no result that the naphtha fumes became ignited.

In a few seconds the drum was alight and was sending skywards a great pillar of fire, which lit up the whole neighbourhood with a fierce red glare. The whole factory and buildings around were soon in great danger, for a more dangerous place for an outbreak could scarcely be found.

Thanks to the commendable promptitude of the brigade, however, the fire menace was in twenty minutes non-existent. Five lengths of hose were coupled up to the hydrant, and the High-street main was tapped, giving a great force of water. The fire was subdued and the damage confined to minor things.

The heap of packing cases caught fire and one or two were burnt, and the doors of the leather-room also caught fire. Windows about 16 feet away were broken by the heat and the flames, and, of course, the window and skylights near where the drum stood were broken.

Altogether the outbreak should be a lasting memorial to the efficiency and skill of the Rushden Fire Brigade.

The firemen turning out were Capt. F. Knight, Second Officer G. R. Turner, Third Office J. F. Knight, Engineer Claude Green, and Firemen J. Sparrow, Whiting, Bridgeford, Timson, A. Jacques, E. Bollard, and H. Payne.