Fires,

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 63, 12 September 1887, Page 2

Fires,

~_* — ,—„, — „ PIEE IN PIRIE-BTBEET. Tho seven-roomed dwelling situated at the corner of Pifie and Austin-streets, and oooupied by fcir Edward Osborne Gibbes, Bart., chief olork in the Education Departmont, won completely destroyed by fire lußt night. Tho outbreak ooeurroa at about 10.15 p.m., under the following oiroumstances :— Sir Edward was engaged in hanging a picture in the drawingroom, and having occasion to leave tho room in order to fetou somo nails, he plaood the oandle-stick, whioh ho was using, on a side-table, which stood againfit tho wall, olose to the door. On his return, after an absence of about fivo minutes, he found tho wall-paper ablaze, owing to the fact that tho candle had fallen against it. Sir Edward wont out for a bucket of wajiet, but when he dame baok'tho flames bad gaino'd the complete mastery.' Ho then carped tyway fronj the (juilcling his littje daqghtor, aged seven years, who wag the only other person on the premises, and suffered severely from the inhalation of tho hoavy smoke as he did so. Moanwhilo the flames, fanned by a strong nor'-westor, made short work of tho building, whioh was entirely onveloped by them beforo the arrival of the Fire Brigade. Captain Page and his merry men are to be oomphmentod upon the promptitudo of their muster, for though they had nearly a mile to run, and a considerable portion of this wag uphill, all their paraphernalia was on tho ground and at work within less than a quarter of an hour from the first clang of the bells. Two streams of water were brought into oporation upon the building, and from that momont the fire made little or no farther progress, and after a few minutes' play the flames wore entirely dUohohed, arid thfj blackened woodwork remained to testify to the smartness of the flrcmon. Luckily tho house stood in an isolated position, but the strength of the wind, which oarried the sparks to a considerable distance, was a source of danger to several buildings in the neighbourhood. These, however, escaped damage. Sir Edward Oibbes was unable to gave any property of value, and a number of important documents, besides oth'er-propertV whioh oannot be roji\acod, ' wWr4 -l«iitiTiii L...f L ...f Hia furnitore was insured in the New Zealand office for .£2OO. Lady Gibbes and two children happen to be in 1 Auokland,' whero 1 tbey Have' lately been paying a 'visit tOßonie friendg! Mr.John'CKbbeß, brother. of'Slj Edward, jitfed qn the 'premises, and he also, sustained hoavy loss of personal property. The building was owned by Mr. Roberj; Kixon, of Austin-street, and was insured foe £350 in tho South British offioo, | By Tbmwiufb.T Itjnitkd PEias association,! QhbjBtceuboh, 11th September. A four-roomed cottatre at Linwood, ownod and ocoupied by F. Mnlholland, cab proprietor, was totally destroyed by fire early this morning. The damage is estimated at .£3OO. The insurances are— Liverpool and London and Globe office, .£l2O on the house, and .£5O on the effeots. An extensive stabling adjoining was saved by tho Fire Brigade. New Pltmouth, 11th September. Aboiling-down establishment and slaughter yards at Waiwakaiho, owned by Mr. S. Bailey, were burned down lost ni^ht. Tho fire originated near tho vat, and it is snpposed from the boiler. The damage is estimated at .£5OO. It is stated that tho premises were insured, but in what office or amount has not transpired. The boilingdown machinery is only slightly damaged. The premises were adjoining the site of tho late Easter encampment held here. This Day. The insurance on Bailey's slaughterhouse, burnt on Saturday night, is £400 in tbe Norwich Union. Auckland, This Day. At about 3.30 on Sunday morning an eightroomed honso in Ponsonby, owned and occupied by John Brown, was completely gutted by fire. Tho house was insured for £230, and the furniture for £100, both in the Sonth British.