FIRE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8526, 22 November 1889, Page 3

FIRE.

Mr D. Leslie's residence in Thompsonroad was destroyed by fire yesterday. Mrs and Miss Leslie were in the house when the fire broke ont, Miss Leslie being engaged in the kitchen cooking. She left the kitchen for a short time, and upon retnrning found it full of smoke, while outside flames were visible coming through the roof. An alarm being raised there was a rapid muster of neighbors, who busied themselves in removing the furnitnre from the house, by this time well alight. Owing to the siteof the house being in a position somewhat diflicult to get at, the. brigade and fire police did not arrive till the house was fully blazing, and consequently it could not be saved from destruction, the efforts of the brigade being confined to extinguishing the burning ruins. The Spit brigade arrived soon after the town contingent, and rendered good service. While the men were at work an accident occurred. Branchmen R. Smith and S. Cowlrick, under the direction of Superintendent Waterworth, were engaged in throwing a strong jet of water on to the blazing shell of the building, when suddenly a large portion of a gable fell upou them. A metal helmet saved Superintendent Waterworth from a cracked skull, he, being the tallest, receiving first the force of the blow from the falling material. All three were knocked down, and Branchman Cowlrick was bruised about the head and severely burned about the aeck. Fortunately there was plenty of assistance at hand, and nothing more serioHS than what has been narrated occurred. The house was insured in the Australian Alliance office for £350, and the furniture and piano for £100 in the same office. The Royal Insurance Company also held a risk of £100 on the furniture. The origin of the fire is supposed to have been a defect in the kitchen chimney.