Another Fire.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 198, 20 September 1888, Page 2

Another Fire.

MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. Shortly after one yesterday morning an alarm of fire was again sounded, both bells being vigorously rung for some time. By the glare in the upper end of the town it was evident there were good grounds for the alarm, but the appearance of the fire was most deceptive, and it was only on a near approach that the uncertainty could be removed. The sky was clouded, and the moonlight did not improve matters, those persons in the lower portion of the town being unable to define the locality. Some turned into bed again with the idea that it was only scrub or some outhouse burning, while many more ominous impressions were created. The actual locality was the brewery building erected some time back by Mr Flook, and now owned by Mr A. Knox. There was no possibility of saviag the building, and there being hardly a breath of wind blowing there was only a remote danger of the cottages near by becoming a prey to the flames. Had there been any wind, it would have been a poor outlook for the row of dwelling-houses on the south side of the brewery. As it was there was nothing better to do for those who had attended than to watch the flames playing havoc with the timber. The falling in of the tower was a grand sight, and after the crash had come it was clear there was not the least further danger. The Brigade had their manual out with commendable smartness, but a messenger bringing down word that the Brigade’s services were not required, there was no hurry to reach the scene. DISCOVERY—ORIGIN—CIRCUMSTANCES. The fire was first discovered, by Messrs Mooney and Robinson, who reside in the cottages close by. The flames were then fust shooting out from the interior, and there was no hope of anything being done in-the way of suppression or rescuing the contents. The seat of the fire was in about the centre of the building, away from the furnace or any place where fire would be used. The brewery had been idle for months past, and there is no room left for imagining that the fire could have been accidental. It is just probable that some loafer may have gained an entrance, and through carelessness have been the cause, but if that were so it ought not to be difficult to sift the matter. Mr R. Knox states that he paid a visit to the brewery about a week previously, when everything was in order. He left the place securely fastened, but it might have been possible for anyone to have got through one of the windows. Everything, he states, was in good working order, and all the appliances were in their place, the engine and everything being of a good class and having sustained really no wear and tear. He states that he can in no way account for the fire, but that his brother will be a heavy loser by it, the turn-out, he reckons, being worth £6OO. The place had been insured in the Phcenix office ten months previously for £350, as follows :— Brewery, £lOO ; plant, £l6O ; engine, boiler, &e., £9O. The building was originally built by Mr G. Flook, but the business did not prosper, and the place was sold under a mortgage by Mr R. Knox. It was thefl purchased by Mr A. Knox, and the Bank of N.B.W. held a bill of sale over plant, etc., for £250 when it was burned down.