A BLAZE at an historic Worcester chemists' shop caused many thousands of pounds worth of damage at this time 50 years ago.

The Journal of 1952 reported: "Fire at the 200 years-old chemists' business of Kitsons at No.1 Broad Street was discovered in the early hours. The proprietor of the past four years, Mr Ray Shaw of Feckenham was called from his home, and he and Mrs Shaw helped with the salvage work.

"Large quantities of drugs, special foods and photographic materials were ruined. Six firemen were slightly hurt, suffering cut hands from broken windows. 'We don't know how it happened but the fire certainly played havoc,' Mrs Shaw told the Journal. 'Water was pouring through the ceiling of the shop like a fountain when we arrived'."

Ray Shaw, who became a popular Worcester personality, died in 1995, but his widow Joan still lives in the city.

When I interviewed her a couple of years ago for the Evening News, she was able to add a footnote to the 1952 blaze at Kitsons.

"The fire brigade said afterwards that it had probably been caused by a rat which had got into the cellar and gnawed its way through an electricity cable."

6 Another Worcester fire also made the news in the Journal this week exactly two centuries ago in 1802.

"At 8 o'clock on Monday evening last a fire broke out in The Shambles at the back of High Street in this city. The flames consumed the same and considerably damaged some warehouses adjoining but, by the active exertions of the neighbours, assisted by the officers and privates of the 6th Dragoon Guards and our local Militia, who promptly assembled on the first alarm, it was got under control without doing further mischief.''