Between ten and eleven o’clock this morning, an outbreak of fire occurred at the shop of Mr. Charles Smith, chemist, High-street, Rushden. Some waste-paper and rubbish was being burnt in the furnace in the back cellar, and near the furnace was a heap of rubbish ready to be destroyed. By some means or other, this heap of paper, etc., became ignited. The cellar was filled with smoke, and as the fire could not be approached it was deemed advisable to call in the assistance of the Fire Brigade. P.S. Birrill and Firemen Seckington and Burgess, with ex-fireman Harry Knight, were soon in attendance with the hose-cart. The hose was attached to a hydrant in High-street, just opposite the shop, and carried through the passage to the cellar, where a stream of water was thrown on to the burning rubbish. The outbreak was soon extinguished, and the damage done was fortunately small, but if the fire had not been quickly discovered and prompt steps taken to put it out there is little doubt that there would have been a serious conflagration. The heat in the cellar when the firemen were able to enter it was intense, and the ceiling had got quite hot. Just above the cellar is Mr. Smith’s house, which is connected with the shop and if the fire had extended to the rooms above the consequences must have been disastrous.
|
|
Unidentified newsclip, possibly from the Argus, June1899
Alarming Fire at Rushden This morning about a quarter to eleven the Rushden Fire Brigade received a call to the premises of Mr. C. Smith, chemist and druggist, in the High-street. Fireman Seckington proceeded with the hose cart, and was joined soon after by Fireman Burgess. Upon investigation, it was found that a quantity of paper and other inflammable material was ablaze in a cellar just underneath the shop. A good force of water was obtained from a hydrant near Mr. G. Miller's shop just opposite. The hose was laid through the passage from the street to the cellar, and a large quantity of water was poured upon the burning, material. The firemen were considerably hampered in their work by the dense smoke, but by eleven o'clock the fire was put out, and the firemen were able to leave. Upon further examination, it was found that the wood work and a quantity of paper were considerably damaged. Had the outbreak occurred in the night time the result would doubtless have been very serious, as the shop above contained a large quantity of chemicals, etc. The damage done was very small, though it was fortunate the outbreak was discovered in time. Had the fire been unperceived till ten minutes later the dining-room overhead must have caught fire, and even as it was the flames had made their way to the woodwork above. The cellar in which the outbreak originated was used for heating purposes. A large boiler supplied the house with hot-water pipes, and a wall separated this cellar from the one in which Mr. Smith stored the chemicals used in connection with his business, and had the conflagration been unchecked when it was the building would probably soon have been destroyed. The assistants in Mr. Smith's employ did good service in throwing a large quantity of water on the fire until the arrival of the brigade. Their efforts undoubtedly saved the premises, and made the work of the brigade easy. The damage is very small, being confined to a wooden partition and some wood and coal. |
|
