Works canteen goes up in flames

Aveling Barfords Works canteen goes up in flames in 1937.

And the £2,000 blaze could have been worse but for the efforts of a bus driver.

Firemen arrived at their station to go to the blaze – but there was not a driver among them.

They went next door to the bus station where Lincolnshire Road Car driver and local entertainer ‘Tich’ Godber offered his services.

Minutes later they were on their way.

The fire started in the afternoon when lightning struck an electric cable.

It was fanned by the breeze and after an hour only the chimney stack remained.

Two billiard tables and a grand piano were lost in the blaze.

Mrs Ridley and Mrs Chantry were drinking tea in the kitchen when the fire started, unaware of the risk they were under.

Mrs Chantry said: “The lights went out so we phoned for an electrician.

“Then we looked into the main hall and found it ablaze.”

The ladies lost their hats and coats in the fire.