FIRE AT WHATAUPOKO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2387, 31 December 1908, Page 4

FIRE AT WHATAUPOKO.

SIX-ROOMED HOUSE DESTROYED.

Shortly after half-past one o’clock this morning a fire broke out in Win'* taupoko totally destroying a six| roomed house and contents in Clifford ' Street. The house was a new -or and was owned by Mr Hood •' occupied by Mr George Colem. who recently came to Gisborne fro. - Auekland. The Fire Brigade was called out. but when the hose reels arrived it was too late to save anything, and. though a good pressure of water was turned on, the housM was soon burned to the ground. I* * was insured, but for what amount was not ascertainable this morning. The furniture was insured, Mr Coleman states, in the Commercial Union office for either £250 or £3OO. The house" was only built about six months ago and Air Coleman has been liviny in it. for about five months. How the fire started is not known. Mr • Coleman states that he was in town|| yesterday with Airs Coleman and,||jj after returning home, they fancied IS they could smell something burning-If and as a fire had been in the early in the day. they had a. look ■around, but could see nothing tlk cause the smell. They retired to bej at about half-past eight and were awakened by Air Charles Taylor, f neighbor, who discovered the plae/ in flames. Air Coleman's was then full of suffocating and the occupants at once got ouj®. side and saw the fire had a godpy|i hold on ! the rear part of the hou;*{ It was not until sometime a.te r t|- -- alarm had been given that tue be gade turned the water on, and the*., efforts to keep the fire down wera without avail- m