DESTRUCTIVE EIRE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 174, 4 July 1884, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE EIRE.

Shortly after twelve o’clock last night the alarm of fire was given by the clanging of the bell, and arriving on the scene, it was found to have originated in a cottage belonging to Mr. E. K. Brown, in Lowe Street, and occupied by Mr. Gilman. A large crowd was soon on the spot, and strenuous efforts were at once made to subdue the flames by the use of buckets of water, but all to no purpose, as the flames had obtained too firm a hold on the wooden building to be got under without a large supply of water being brought to bear upon it. The fire brigade arrived with one of their manual engines, but there was no water to be had. The fence surrounding Mr. E. K. Brown’s residence was pulled down in order to get at the necessary element, but the well was found to be dry. The brigade then made an attempt to obtain a supply of water from the Gisborne Hotel, which was frustrated by the refusal of the proprietor. By this time the building was almost burned down, so they (the brigade) gave it up as a bad job. During all this time the crowd had not been idle with their buckets of water, which they obtained from the other neighboring residences, and they had the satisfaction when all was over, of knowing that they had done some good by saving the cottage next to the one destroyed. Up to the present time there is nothing to show how the fire originated. There were three persons asleep in the house, when the alarm of fire was given, Mr. Gilman his wife and brother, and they just managed to save themselves. Mr, Gilman cannot account for the cause of the fire. That night he returned from Pakirikiri, and after having supper retired to bod, without kindling a fire, and knew nothing until he was awakened by the alarm. The building was insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for £125, and the furniture for £lOO, in the office for which Mr. E. K. Brown is the local agent.