Add from the Nepean Times Newspaper.

By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

IN August 1916 a fire resulted in the complete destruction of premises occupied by Mr E Summons in the middle of High Street in Penrith who had a boot and shoe retailer and repair establishment. Together with the whole of the stock-in-trade including a stitching machine, working tools etc partially destroyed the adjoining refreshment room building of Mrs Bishop’s establishment.  It appears that the outbreak was first noticed about 8.45 pm by some bystanders on the opposite side of the footpath on High Street and it would seem that at the time the flames had already taken too great a hold of the weatherboard buildings and consequently too inflammable to be extinguishable. Sergeant Major Webb and others who happened to be passing at the time burst through the shop door, it being evident that the place was practically doomed but efforts were made to save the stock-in-trade of Mrs Bishop’s adjoining premises. The fire brigade was speedily on the scene and Captain Walsh with eight members getting out the hose in operation within a few minutes. The splendid work of the brigade speedily prevented the extension of the fire on both sides of the affected premises, but it was found impossible to save any of the goods and the shop along with its fittings, furniture and belongings that were completely “guttered’’ before the fire brigade had received notice of the affair. Mr Summons who had gone on business to Parramatta by the evening train had left a sum of money on the premises comprising of two £5 notes and a cheque for £5.9s 3d in a box hidden away for “safe keeping’’ but obviously the fire made short work of the “burglar-proof’’ plan and this cash loss was one of the “unkindest cuts’’ of the fiery visitation that night. Mr Summons estimates his loss in stock and machinery at about £400 having had in stock a considerable quantity of leather and new boots and shoes and between 60 and 70 pairs of boots waiting repairs for local and district residents. Mrs Bishop puts her loss roughly at a value of at least £100, a large part of her stock of goods (fruit, confectionery, lollies etc) being destroyed or damaged and it is to be regretted as items of the stock were placed on the footpath to prevent possible destruction by the fire were purloined by individuals. Mr D H Proctor whose dwelling house is situate immediately at the rear of Mr Summons’ shop was also a loser to the extent of £12 or £13, his kitchen that was attached to the back part of Mr Summons’ premises burnt almost right out and his cooking utensils and articles of kitchen furniture destroyed. Mr J Hill’s tailor establishment next door to Mrs Bishop’s was in danger at one period and the shop furniture was hastily removed. On returning by a late train to Penrith on Saturday night Mr Summons was “absolutely stunned’’ at the ill fortune that had so grievously befallen him. He felt the loss the more severely as he planned to shortly enter the matrimonial state and intended to live on the premisses and was about to enlarge his stock. Great sympathy is felt for him and his injured neighbours in the regretful circumstances. The heat of the fire was uncomfortably intense on the opposite side of the street and pedestrians and workers had a pretty “hot time in the old town’’ in the vicinity of the fire. At one time it was feared the blaze might start out on Mr Kerry’s blacksmith’s shop that was adjacent on the eastern side but the possibility was averted. On Sunday morning the seat of the fire presented the sombre and unsightly appearance of a grimy blackened waste and the “clean sweep’’ made by the devastating element as only the charred buildings remains to tell the tale. The adjoining premises owes its partial preservation to the fact that a previous occupant had placed a layer of sawdust between the walls for cooling purposes as the building had been used previously for a refreshment room and sawdust is thought to give a somewhat negative resistance to the flames. We understand the owner of the premises occupied by Mr Summons is Mr James Hay and that occupied by Mrs Bishop is owned by Mr F H Woodriff and both shops were insured. The stock-in-trade of Mr Summons was partly insured on the O.I.A. Coy., Sydney and Mrs Bishop’s stock was also partly insured. Mr Summons is now carrying on his business of repairing in temporary premises opposite where he was burnt out and we understand Mr Hay intends to shortly erect a new shop for Mr Summons on the old spot. Re-Opening of Business 16th August, 1916. Mrs W C Bishop announces that she is reopening her fruit and confectionery this Friday night in new premises opposite Messrs Wickham Bros’ motor garage in High Street, Penrith. An entirely new stock has been purchased and a well-appointed refreshment room arranged. The Penrith Band will play a varied programme from the balcony to mark the opening of this attractive new shop. Just before the fire Mr E Summons had this add in the Nepean Times on the 15th July, “Boots and Shoes. Bootmaker and repairer of High Street, Penrith opposite Nash’s store announces that besides attending to all classes of repairs and making boots he has a well assorted stock of ladies, gentlemen’s and children’s first-class boots and shoes to select from in his attractive shop and invites inspection”.  

Sources: Nepean Times 15 July 1916, 12 August 1916 & 19 August 1916,