Page 491 - Reading Mercury

Ladies who helped were Mrs. W. Webb, Mrs. G. Hope, Mrs. Budd, Mrs. H. Berry,
Mrs. F. Hallett, Mrs. Fidler, Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Paxman. The entertainment was
provided from a fund subscribed to by members and friends of the Legion Club.
Later a large number of members of the club, with their friends, participated in a
social evening, when a programme of games, music and dancing was enjoyed.

nd
Sat 2 Feb
FIRE AT WOKINGHAM
SHOP AND STORES GUTTED
A serious fire broke out at Wokingham on Saturday, and in just over an hour a
double story building used by Mr. W. Denton as a warehouse and showroom for
furniture manufactured by the Forest Furnishing Company, and by Mr. Osborne as a
tailor’s and outfitter’s shop, were completely destroyed. The outbreak was first
discovered about midnight by Mr. C.E. Dowdswell, who was motoring past, and
noticing smoke issuing from the building he immediately gave the alarm. Mt. Frank
Lush, who was cycling from Reading, broke the alarm at the fire station. The
Wokingham Fire Brigade were on the scene with their customary promptitude, but in
the short space of time which had elapsed between the giving of the alarm and the
arrival of the brigade, the fire had obtained a firm hold, the building being enveloped
in flames. The brigade’s activities were somewhat hampered owing to lack of water,
but additional pressure was put on at the waterworks, and energies were concentrated
on saving the six cottages in South Place which run at right angles from Peach Street
and adjoin Mr. Denton’s premises. Firemen mounted the roof of the cottages, and by
keeping the exterior of the end cottage drenched with water were successful in
preventing the fire from spreading. Ultimately the roof of the building crashed down,
carrying with it, the floor of the upper storey, and a great volume of sparks and flames
ascended, creating some danger to the premises near the Easthampstead Road. The
heat was so great that the firemen only carried out their task with great difficulty. It
was impossible to stand on the opposite side of the road, where paint on the shop
fronts was blistered and scorched, and the windows of Mr. Price’s shops were
cracked. The precaution of moving all the furniture from Mr. E. Green’s house in
South Place was taken, whilst on one occasion the fire engine had to be moved further
from the flames. The premises were entirely burnt out by one o’clock, but continued
to smoulder for many hours afterwards.
We understand that the buildings, furniture, etc. owned by Denton were insured,
whilst Mr. Osborne, who only recently commenced his business in the premises, was
insured with the Royal Insurance Company.
There is nothing to show how the fire started, Mr. Osborne having seen that
everything was safe at 9.15 p.m., and passers-by shortly before midnight noticed
nothing unusual. It is thought, however, that the conflagration must have started at the
rear of the building.
The fire brigade deserve warm commendation for the scientific manner in which
they handled the outbreak, and although they were unable to save the building they
certainly prevented the fire from spreading. Captain Caiger was in command, Lieut.
Goswell was in charge of the left-hand delivery, and Engineer Martin on the right.
Afterwards to our representative Captain Caiger said the work of the brigade would
have been considerably facilitated had they had three-way hydrants at their disposal.
He had been urging that these should be installed for the past ten years.
Mr. Denton has been somewhat unfortunate in the matter of fires. The Forest
th
th
Furniture Factory was burned down on October 27 1921, and on October 20 , 1920,
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