South Yorkshire Times, April 3rd, 1953
Two Pigs Lost
Fierce Allotment Blaze at Conanby
OF five pigs trapped in a blazing sty on the Conanby allotments on Tuesday afternoon, three were rescued by the prompt initiative of Mr. Harry Williams, of 7, Fitzwilliam Avenue, and Mr. Albert Hand. 10, Fitzwilliam Avenue, but two—valued at £40—were destroyed in the blaze.
South Yorkshire Times, April 3rd, 1953
Terrified Squeals
Mr. Williams and Mr. Hand were first on the scene, being attracted by the column of black smoke and the squealing of the terror-stricken pigs.
Four pigs ran out when they kicked open the doors, but one was hopelessly trapped. However, before they could be herded to a safe distance one of the pigs evaded the growing crowd of firefighters and ran back into the blaze. It was destroyed almost immediately in the flames.
In his battle with the fire Mr. Hand had his hair and eyebrows badly scorched.
For the owner of the sties. Mr. Arthur Herdus, 4, Pope Avenue, who is employed at Cadeby Colliery. this was his second stroke of misfortune in six weeks. He only commenced work again last Monday after being off work with a broken foot for six weeks. Still undergoing treatment, he was waiting to see a specialist at Fullerton Hospital, Denaby, on Tuesday.
He hastened to the allotments immediately but was unable to save his property. Mr. Herdus estimates his loss at about £100.
NOTE.—We are asked by the police to contradict a rumour which gained currency in the district that there had been delay in calling out the Fire Brigade through refusal by the sub – postmistress at Conanby to put through the necessary telephone call. This impression was quite false. The sub postmistress was never in fact informed about the fire and only knew of it when a member of the Brigade had occasion to put In a telephone call after the firemen had arrived on the scene—Editor.