FIRE IN GLADSTONE ROAD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2368, 8 December 1908, Page 4

FIRE IN GLADSTONE ROAD

A HOUSE AND CONTENTS DESTROYED. Shortly after ten o’clock last night a fire broke out in Upper Gladstone Road, totally destroying a six-roomed house and its contents. '1 hip house, which was owned by Airs. Rebecca Brooking and her- son, was occupied bv Mr. John Brooking, ms family, and a number of lodgers. It was at this house that James Straker .jackson, who is now auditing trial by the SuprQnie Court, is -lleged t to have assaulted William Harvey aeout a fortnight ago. It is not known how the Pro occurred, but at ten minutes past ten word was received ati "fclie fir© s'ta'tion or fcxio outbreak. The brigade, under Si’l erintendent Towniey, quickly turned out with the hand reel, but when the men arrived the fire had obtained a strong hold, and it was impossible to do anything to save Mrs. Broca mg's house. Attention was then turned to the saving of a nine-roomed bouse next door, owned by Mr. Lucas, and occupied by Mrs. Berry 'J «• s n eexved no other damage than a a ight scorching of the paint- In a shed m the vard of Mr. Lucas’ house •>- huge number of totalisator appliances were stored, and these were uninjured. Mrs. Brooking stated chat sle and the other occupants of the haus-e tall retired for the night before 9 o'clock, and evervthing was all right then. They were sound asleep when the fire broke out in the front b»droom, which was unoccupied, and the people living in the house had only time to escape in their night apparel. The house and contents v. ere insured in the New Zealand Xusu ance Company, but for what amount not known last night.