Mainwaring, appalled by this development, protests to the vicar, Area HQ, the Civil Defence people and a fellow Rotarian, and eventually Hodges' wardens are ordered to leave, but not for another week.
The ARP Headquarters was bombed the previous night, and the town clerk and vicar have given them permission to move in with the Home Guard at the church hall.
The Home Guard platoon struggle to come to terms with this new sharing arrangement, and even Walker, who is usually shrewd in business, is unimpressed, though he takes the chance to sell the wardens a "firelighter" to light the stove.
While Mainwaring and Hodges are wresting for control of the office telephone, a call comes through warning them of a fire that has started at a large building next to St Aldhem's church.
After initially calling for the fire brigade, they realise that it is in fact their own headquarters burning, and the chimney set alight by Walker's firelighter.