FIRE AT PONSONBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6930, 2 February 1884, Page 5

FIRE AT PONSONBY.

About noon yesterday the firebells rang out an alarm, and it soon became known that the fire was in Campbellville, Shelly Beach-road, The Fire Brigade, Salvage Corps, and police at once started for the scene of the tire, but on the road received word that the fire was over, Campbell's stables having been burned It appears that Mrs. Graham, who lives adjacent, had leased the.residence and stable from Mr. Campbell, and that her brother, Mr. James Cargo, who resides with her, had a quantity of furniture, piano, agricultural implements, &c, stored in it. There were also iu it a quantity of oaten hay, tools, and harness, belonging to Mrs. Graham, and a lady'B sidesaddle, all of which property waa destroyed. Mrs. Graham's residence would also have gono but for the protection of a screen of tress. The outbreak was firßt noticed by Mrs. Graham, and the neighbours speedily rallied and exerted themselves to save the adjacent property, As to the origin of the tire there is nothing definitely known. Mr. Bainbridge kept a horse in the stable, and at eleven o'clock a lad went to get it out, but being unable to do so, went to the groom, Mr. Penn, who removed the horse some ten,minutes before the fire waa discovered. The theory is that a match must have dropped accidentally in the hay, bnt Mr. Penn states that he does not smoke. Mr. Cargo, who is uninsured, estimates his loss at £260. A young lady, who left her side saddle in the stable as a safe place of custody, is also the loßer by the fire of a few pounds. The stable was insured by Mr. Campbell-in the Imperial for £100, and the residence occupied by Mrs. Graham for £300 in the same office. The damage to the house is nominal.