THE FIRE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1327, 10 July 1883, Page 2

THE FIRE.

On Monday morning, about 5 o’clock, Mr. Gruner was alarmed by the cries of his daughter, who had been awakened by the strong fumes of burning. He immediately rushed out, and upon opening the door leading into the kitchen, found the whole room in flames. He speedily roused all the inmates, who had the greatest difficulty in effecting their escape. Mr Matthew Price, who was staying with Mr Gruner, had a narrow escape,being completely stupified and had to be carried out. Mr Gruner, after assisting to convey the children to a place of safety, bethought himself of his vest which was hanging at the head of his bedstead, and which contained five sovereigns, a valuable watch, and his keys, but was unable to obtain it, being driven back and somewhat scorched by the flames. The whole house was speedily down, and scarcely even a vestige of clothing was saved. It appears that since Mr Price has been staying with them the Gruners have been in the habit of'placing a log of wood on the fire before going to bed, so as to keep some warm water ready all night. There is little doubt but what, owing to the faulty construction of the brick flue (the mortar having crumbled entirely away leaving open interstices between the bricks) the sparks have settled behind the bricks, and thus originated the fire.

In turning over the debris, Mr Gruner found the remains of his watch, the case having been entirely melted away ; three sovereigns partly melted and the other two fused into a quantity of small metalic globules. We understand that Mr Price lost a considerable amount in notes and one cheque for a small sum. The house was insured in the Colonial Insurance ofli-.e for £375, and the furniture in the Colonial and Victorian for £l5O each, making a total insurance of £675. Had it not been for the exertions of Messrs Kurtain and Morgan (who got on to the roof), assisted bv Messrs Pinfold, Nolan, Bull and Winter who exerted themselves to the utmost, the latter gentlemen carrying water and passing it up to the two first-named, the adjoining building must inevitably have been destroyed. As it is, the end is much damaged, the covering boards being burnt through in some places.