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The flames immediately rushed out and one of the crowd at once went to the Fire Station in Queen Street for assistance. Police Constable Southey received the alarm at 9.25 and at once ran the curricle round into Adrian Street, a telephone message for assistance being sent to the Town Hall station. The standpipe with two delivery jets was fixed in Adrian Street and the flames, which were rushing out of the shop knocked out. Chief Constable Fox, Inspector Scutt and a number of firemen quickly arrived and the fire was attacked from the Lane and also from the roof of the Liberty Inn. The Military police and a picquet of No. 40 Company R.G.A. under Bombardier R. Bright, rendered valuable assistance by keeping the crowd clear and regulating the traffic. 

After the flames in the shop had been partially extinguished a ladder found in the neighbourhood enabled the first floor to be attacked whilst the second hose was brought over the roof of the Liberty Inn and the fire, which was catching the top floor effectually attacked from above. The contents of the shop, which contained old books, old clothing and miscellaneous curiosities of course provided very inflammable matter whilst the closeness of the adjoining property much of which was of wood added greatly to the danger of the fire spreading. The police however always had the fire in hand and it was prevented from spreading in the least and by 10.50 was completely extinguished. Beyond damage to the roof of the Liberty Inn by the firemen getting over it no damage was done to adjoining property. 

The contents of No. 3 were however entirely destroyed by fire and water, the cellar of the house being filled with water so that it overflowed and ran down into Snargate Street The ground and first floors were burnt out and the top floor greatly damaged. The origin of the fire is unknown but it appears that the assistant had a fire in the premises for heating and cooking food and he kept this alight as it was a cold day till he left at 9 o’clock the fire then being very low. The property is insured in the Guardian (Messrs Worsfold and Hayward ) and the contents in the Royal exchange. The police fire brigade consisted of Chief Constable Fox, Inspector Scutt and 22 firemen who had many assistants.(1908)