FIRE IN BRUNSWICK-STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6296, 21 January 1882, Page 5

FIRE IN BRUNSWICK-STREET.

A urK-ROOMED cottage in Brunswick-street, off Napier-street, was destroyed by fire yes.tf rilay morning about 4 o'clock:. The cottage was occupied by Mr. G. Marshall, labourer. It seems that the lire originated in a woodshed on the adjoining premises of Mrs. Steele. Mrs. Steele was awakened by the noise of burning wood, and on ascertaining where tiie fire was, immediately gave the alarm. The neighbours and others removed the furniture from Mr. Marshall's house when the fire had extended to that •building from the wood shed. The Fire Brigade was not speedy'in leaching the burning building, owing to delay in communication, and the cottage was beyond hope of being saved when the brigade arrived. The building was the property of Mr. J. S. Cox. and was insured in the -'ou til British Insurance Company for £75. The origin of the 'ire is unknown. The delay in communicating with the brigade wascaused by the ■fire-alarm being out of order at the time of the fire. At 1 o'clock yesterday morning, Mr. Hughes (Superintendent of the Fire Brigade), tested the western circuit of the fire alarm and found it in perfect working order, but at 4 o'clock attempts were made in vain to communicate from the fire alarm at the corner of Napier and Union-streets, with the Central Station. The failure may have been caused by the manner in which the alarm was attempted to be given. It would be well for persons living near the fire alarms to make themselves acquainted with the proper mode of signalling a fire, and it is al?o desirable to signal only from the district in which the fire is situated.