FIRE IN TOWN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 12263, 26 May 1934, Page 4

FIRE IN TOWN

OUTBREAK IN OUT-BUILDINGS. FAMILY GET AN AWKWARD SURPRISE. An outbreak of fii'e early last evening. -rudely disturbed the peaceful conditions which prevail after dark id. the home of Mr. W. Dennett, at the corner of Wellington Street and Aberdeen. Road. It- was 6.15 o’cloen and paterfamilias bad retired to bed. as also had the younger members oi the family.

When the siren Wounded, Mr Dennett was enjoying one of the latest “thrillers” prior to going off +o Cumberland. He called out to his wife to go on to the front verandah and see in what locality the outbreak liad occurred. Mrs. Dennett, however, wa s uot interested —U might he a case of a ialso alarm.

But immediately afterwards the household began to sit up and take notice. A crowd had begun to assemble outside their home, and excited youngsters from neighbouring homes mere crying out that it was the Dennetts’ place that was alight. Sure enough flamo s were emerging fiom the wood-house ami wash-house which stand a few feet from the bac-k of the house.

-Mr. Dennett rescued three bicycles and a push-chair from the wash-house and then lie notic-f'd something moving at the. back of the apartment amidst the smoke. It was the family canine, which had not dared to make its exit, but haj crouched into the farthest corner. As it could not be persuaded to come out. and the flames were coining down from the root of the structure over the washhouse door. Mr. ,Dennett had to get down on hands and knees to effect a rescue. The nog was unceremoniously thrown outside.

in the wood-house were about three cords of beach wood. Only tile other day. the last lot. iu a wet condition. was stacked and it is believed that tile fire must have arisen from spontaneous combustion. The total damage is estimated at round about £lu, apart irom the !os s '*f some of the firewood.