August 16, 1952

PRODUCTION will not be affected and no workers will be laid off as a result of a serious fire which gutted part of the roof of the factory, derelict shops and the hook shop at the factory of Messrs S Allcock and Co Ltd, Clive Road, Redditch, on Thursday morning.

The fire was discovered by Mrs F Beardmore, of 49 St George's Road, Redditch, who told a reporter: "I was sweeping the floor of the hook shop at about 8.20am when I saw smoke coming from the door and a cupboard. Then I saw more smoke coming up the stairs.

"I called Mr Peasgood, who was nearby, and arranged for the Redditch Fire Brigade to be called.

"And then Mr H James, a member of the works fire brigade, tackled the fire with extinguishers. It became too fierce for us and we had some anxious moments before we were able to get out of the affected part of the building."

Works manager Mr S Hemming said: "This will not stop production and we shall not have to lay off any workers because of the fire.

"The only damage is the loss of the hook shop but we shall get to work to straighten that out as soon as the firemen leave."