FIRES IN OUR MIDST.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 246, 23 July 1872, Page 3

FIRES IN OUR MIDST.

Last evening about six o’clock the firebell was hoard to ring out its dread sound in Grahamstown. Being Monday evening many thought it was merely rung for the purpose of mustering the brigade to practice, but this was not the case, ll seems that the chimney of the tobacconist’s shop, near to the Empire Hotel, caught fire, and the flames alarmed some of the persons who were in owen-street at the time. 'Hie bell was accordingly rung, and in less than ten mil: ites some nine members of the Brigade were at the engine-house, the first 2 present being Mr Bull, captain of the Brigade, and Mr Alexander. In a very few minutes the engine was got out of the house with all the appliances on it, such as hose, ropes, hooks, &c., &c>, and was dragged up to Albert-street, where it was met by the horses, and thence run up the street very quickly. Fortunately the services of the Brigade were not required, but had they been, the men were all ready, and the alurm of last night shows that they can muster at a very short notice. Tins is the second alarm that has happened in Grahamstown within a week, both having been caused by chimneys catching fire. Those who allow these sort of things to occur deserve to be punished severely as the law can punish them, as simply for the saving of a few shillings to sweep their flues the safety of the neighbourhood is endangered. Had a fire started last night, with the high wind that was blowing, goodness only knows where it would have ended. We trust that the police authorities will see into the matter and punish the offenders, who deserve to suffer for their carelessness in allowing their chimneys to get on fire.