FIRE IN GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1040, 23 February 1882, Page 2

FIRE IN GISBORNE.

NARROW ESCAPE. About a quarter-past ten o’clock last evening the terrible cry of “ Fire ! Fire!” was once again raised in Gisborne. Some persons, whoso names we have been unable to gather, were fortunate enough to observe the flames in the shop of Mrs A. Al. Browne. Gladstone Road. The indications of fire were not very distinct at the time of the discovery. Instantly the cry of “Fire! Fire I” “Ring the bell;” “ Break open the door,” and other orders given in confused tones resounded on the otherwise stilly evening air, for not a breath of wind prevailed. The door of Mrs Browne’s shop was broken open, anil then it flashed across the minds of the assembled multitude that water was required. Forthwith the cries of “ Water, water; get some water; get the buckets”

were dinned into the ears of the spectators. There were a large number of men bursting with energy, determined to do something, but they knew not what. No one was in command, and no one apparently inclined to attempt to take command of the undisciplined party that presented themselves. The fire was now making great headway. The last supply of valentines Mrs Browne had received were blazing, and the fire had taken a firm hold of the other inflammable stores. It was painful to witness what threatened to be a terrible catastrophe. Was Pages doomed 7 Was that huge pile of wooden buildings to go ? The same thoughts must have occurred to the minds of everyone. Carlaw Smith and Co’s establishment and the Herald office, all would have gone, if the flames once burst through the building. Some one thought of Parnell <t Bov lan’s portable barrel and hose. This was brought into requisition. Willing hands wrought steadfastly in carrying water from Mr. Page’s well at the Masonic Hotel. For over half-an-honr the work of extinguishing the fire was carried on with unexampled zeal. Some were on the roof of the building, while others below passed up buckets of water. Considering that there was scarcely any water, no discipline, no order, nothing, in fact, but thorough disorganization, we cannot speak too highly of the thoroughly earnest and untiring manner in which as many as could crowd together did a great work

of saving thousands of pounds’ worth of property from destruction. The | flames, by almost superhuman efforts, ! were got under control, and the hearty cheers that arose when that iact was established were indeed well deserved. We noticed Constable Wilson the whole time of the fire working hard inside the burning shop. In Messrs Bogan and Nolan's office a move was made to shrt the documents. The corrugated iron roof on Mrs Browne’s building was largely instrumental in retarding the progress of the fire. Many persons in the crowd were partly inclined to sneer at the efforts of the men who worked so hard. This was undeserved. The damage was afterwards ascertained to be less than was anticipated. Under the circumstances no body of men could have done better, and ample proof was given last night of the fact that with proper organisation a fire brigade corps could bc established in Gisborne second to none in the colony. The men arc here ; all that is required is a leading spirit. The sooner the matter is taken in hand the better.