South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 22 March 1952
Barking Dog Gave Fire Alarm at Conisbrough
The barking of a Spaniel dog awoke Mr. and Mrs. H. Jones at “The Poplars,” Elm Green Lane, Conisbrough, early on Wednesday morning.
They saw smoke pouring through the floorboards of their bedroom, where their ten-year-old son was also sleeping.
Mr. Jones immediately gave the alarm, which was answered by Mexborough and Conisbrough Brigades, who were obliged to pull away the bottom half of the fireplace, and a number of floor boards, before they could get to the blaze, which had apparently been caused by glowing coals from the fireplace dropping through the bottom of the grate onto an oak joist.
Smoke and water poured through the floorboards into a downstairs room, only recently decorated, blackening and ruining the wallpaper.
The brigades were over an hour getting the blaze under complete control and the fireplace cannot be used until a new grate has been installed.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones are guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. Bonnett.