A FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 97, 3 May 1901, Page 2

A FIRE.

A COTTAGE BURNED DOWN. An alarm of firo was rung out at 2.10 this morning, and people were startled from their slumbers to go out on a beautifully clear morning, the moonlight making it as bright as a dull day. The firo was at the Waikanao end of Peel street, a four-roomed cottage adjoining the residence of Dr Williams being in flames. Constable" Crawford, Fireman Loomb, Dr Williams, and Mr Cos were the first on the scene, the alarm having been given by the night watchman, Mr Morell. Those first on the scene devoted their attention to saving what they.could of the effects in the burning house, but the fire spread so rapidly that not much could be done in that way. Fireman Loomb bravely made an incursion through the house to ascertain if there wore any signs of life, but none could be found. The house is owned by Captain Tucker, the occupier being Mr E. Sartin, a carpenter in the employ of Mr W. 0. Skeet. Mr Sartin is at present engaged on a building up the Waimata Valley; he only comes home occasionally, and has not been in town for some days. He is a widower, and has retained the house since the death of his wife, having in the building a quantity of furniture, and a large collection of tools. The efforts of the Brigade were quickly successful in removing any danger to the adjoining house, which was already showing signs of the heat. That is a somewhat Similar cottage, also owned by Captain Tucker, The tenant, Mr Binnie,’ had shifted from it a cquple of days previously. The building was reduced to ashes, but an adjoining shed was saved. Very few articles wore got from the burning building, though Dr Williams and Mr Cox made a strong effort in that direction, the Doctor getting his hand cut in the at : tempt.

The Fire Brigade wero early on the scene, but were seine time in getting the water on ! !,a building, owing to the distance which the hose nail tf? be carried, the nearest connect ion being at the corner of Peel street a.;, i Gladstone road. Among those v,hp gave early and effective assistance was Mr R. Soloinan. The massive bluegmn trees protected Dr. Williams’ house from the burning building, but lest a spark should ignite the hay, the horse was taken from the stable, and a watch kept for sparks settling down. A peculiar fact about the firo is that some years ago one occurred at the same place, and tho house burned down this morning was erected to replace the one previously destroyed. When the fire had been quenched a careful search was made by Sergeant Siddells and Constables Crawford and McLeod lest there should have ’ been anyone sleeping in the bouse, but all fears in that respect were soon set at rest. No cine is obtainable as to the cause of the fire. A gentleman who was in the vicinity a short time previous to the outbreak, iniormed a Times representative that there was no indication whatever of fire. Those who reached the fire first say that the table was set as for a meal, but that would probably be the way in which the articles would have been left by Mr Sartin when he set out for his work in the country. The length of hose used by tho FireBrigade last evening appeared to be in a very bad state of repair, and after the fire the road in several places was fairly well flooded with the leakage of water. The force of water playing on the fire was bn this account much reduced. This is a matter which requires the serious attention of the Council, who should see that the Brigade is supplied with proper appliances and material to work with,