FIRE AT GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 376, 27 March 1902, Page 2

FIRE AT GISBORNE.

NARROW ESCAPE OF OCCUPANTS.

Tiie weather last night being so bad in tiie early part of tiie evening, the intended wet practice of the Fire Brigade was abandoned, but later on the Brigade Intel some real practice, an alarm of lire being rung out at twenty, minutes to twelve. A lire had broken out in a four-roomed dwelling house in Bright street, occupied by, Mr A 4 McFarlane, and owned by " Captain Harris. The lire had burst forth with wonderful rapidity. In the house there were Mr and Mrs McFarlane aim their children (one an infant), and a lady friend from Melbourne. The ladies and children occupied one of the front bedrooms, and Mr McFarlane was in tiie other one. All had retired some time The lady, visitor was awakened by a pungent smell of something burning, She aroused Mrs McFarlane, and going out of the room to ascertain the cause found that the house was on fire and gave the alarm. Mr McFarlane was sleeping soundly at the time,, and jumping out oi bed he helped Mrs McFarlane and the children out of the house. 1 hen he ran back and got a few of the children’s clothes, but could save uo more. From that lie ran to

the firebell, a short distance away, repelling it in an exhausted state, but being able to give the first alarm. The brigade were out very smartly, and though it seemed a long time ere the water was on, the actual time from when the bell rang to when the water was turned on was 15 minutes. The force of thg flow not only at once removed all danger tp the adjacent buildings, but suppressed tine 'flames devouring the burning building, It was, however, by that time an irretrievable wreck. Tiie rapidity with which the fire did its 'work' may be judged from the fact that a few minutes before .Constable and Mrs Hancox, who reside in the adjoining house, passed on their way home, and neither saw fire nor smelt anything burning. They retired to bed, and then heard the alarm,

Mr McFal'lan.e did not save even a suit of clothes. He was clad in nis pyjamas, and was barefooted, as were also the other occupants', their exit from the burning building necessarily being so hurried. They were kindly given quarters for the night by Mr and Mrs Hancox.'

The building was insured for £15.0, and the furniture for £IOO, both landlord and tenant being heavy losers.

The /ire occurr?d in a spare room, and no idea can be given as .to how it ori'ginatea.