FIRE IN BROOK=ST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIII, Issue 137, 14 June 1899, Page 2

FIRE IN BROOK=ST.

A HOUSE TOTALLY DESTROYED. At half-past twelve to-day ihe fire-bells rang ont an alarm, and after a few minutes' uncertainty it was discovered that the cause waa situated in npper Brookstreet, Tho Firo Brigade turned oat, but on their arrival ou tho scene of tho fire ib was found that' there waa no hope of saving the house in whioh the fire had broken out, and whioh was owned and occupied by Mr Leatham; who ia em; ployed on the railway line. The efforts of the Brigade were directed to saving the residence of Mr O'Connor, immediately adjoining on the lower side,- and that of Mr Whiting, on the upper side, also quite close to the building destroyed The end of Mr O'Connor's house was barnt out, and the portion of the contents that was not removed was also damaged considerably by water. Mr Whiting's honse escaped damage, bnt the fnrnitnre, whioh waa hurriedly removed, was damaged to some slight extent, partly by water after being taken out of the honse, aiid partly by breakages. On the alarm being given a number of neighbours gathered round and rendered assistance iv removing the furniture of Messrs O'Connor and Whiting, but there was no opportunity of saving anything froni Mr Leatham's dwelling, whioh, with its contents, was totally destroyed. The fire broke out in the front room, and was discovered whilst the family were at dinner. Tho house waa an old one, and consequently the fire burned very rapidly, Mrs Leatham had barely time to save her baby and two elder children, who have lately been laid up with sickness, one of them being confined to '..his bed till a day or two ago. One or two articles of furniture were polled out, but practically everything was lost, The hpase was a four-roomed one, and had been purchased in April last from Mrs Brain, by whon. it was insured for £100 in the Royal Office. It is doubtful, however, whether Mr Leatham will reap any benefit from this policy. There was no insurance on the furniture, which was valned at about £70 or ±'80. Tbe loss to Mr Leatham, as a labouring man, is a seriou9 one. No'hing ia known as to the origin of tha outbreak, there having been no tire in the room since Saturday last. Mr O'Connor's loss, in respect to bis house t Is covered by Insurance in the Norwich Union ollice, but bis furniture ia uninsured. Mr Whiting's loss is also covered by insurance in the same office,