A SERIOUS FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 108, 16 May 1901, Page 1

A SERIOUS FIRE.

The following report of the fire at Elsthorpe is given in the Auckland Herald of Saturday At three o’clock on Thursday morning the town was awakened by j loud cries of fire and fSe continuous whistle at the .Union Timber Company’s factory. It did not take long to ascertain that tho fire was in High-street, and thither great crowds wended their way. 1 The fire commenced in the back part of Messrs Murray and Sangster’s, bakers' I shop, and was discovered by Mr Frank I Barson, who was sleeping in the house. He was awakened by a loud, hissing noise, and on looking out of the window I saw a bright glare. He saw the kitchen ablaze and the house full of smoke. I Rushing to the bedroom he rescued two children, who, with their mother, were quietly sleeping. Owing to the intense heat Mr Barson could not return by the door, and had to hand the children out of the window, the mother following. They were only discovered just in time, and had it not been for the efforts put forth by Mr Barson disastrous'would have been the consequences. The flames spread with great rapidity, and soon the buildings I on either side had caught, viz., the Ex- ' celsior Drapery Company and Mr Hodgson’s tailor shop. Willing hands did all in their power to stay the flames, and were doubtless the means of preventing premises on the other side of the street sharing the same cruel fate, It was a particularly calm morning, otherwise the destruction would have been far greater. As it was, the block .of six shops were totally destroyed, and most of tbß contents. Tho sufferers were but partly insured, and are in all eases great losers.