Extract from report of Cave's Fire 1901

At 3.15 the Higham Ferrers Brigade had arrived. The Alfred-street Infants School was completely gutted, and from the other schools all the books, &c., were removed into the playground. A sensible precaution was taken by chopping away the roof between the girls’ school and the boys’ school.  The teaching staff, with Mr. Mantle and other members of the School Board were working hard. The inhabitants of Duck-street at 3.15 began to take precautionary measures. Mr. Seckington and Mr. H. Staniland were the first firemen on the scene of the fire.

At 3.30 strenuous efforts were being made to save the premises of Mr. G. Wilmott, fruiterer, on the Succoth side of High-street. The Irthlingborough fire brigade have arrived. All the factories are closed. Mr. Woods’ house adjoining the Alfred-street schools is on fire. The walls of Messrs. Cave’s factory abutting on Alfred-street have fallen in. During the whole afternoon the heat of the sun was terrific, everything being in a most inflammable condition. The Restaurant and the Rose and Crown Inn have escaped serious injury almost miraculously.