FIRE AT PARNELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7921, 13 April 1887, Page 5

FIRE AT PARNELL.

* Clcse on two o'clock this morning the Parnell firebell rang out an alarm of fire. It proved to be on the Maunkau Road, nearly opposite the Roman Catholic Church, in a two-storeyed seven-roomed shop, tho property of Mr. Witheford, son., of Pousonby. The premises were divided on the north aide by a narrow passage from Mr. Witheford's ironmongery shop, and on the south by a row of two-storeyed ehopa and residences, the property of Mr. James Gilbert. They wore occupied by Mrs. Bell, who kept a drapery shop and registry office, her husband being absent at Paparoa, Kaipara. The Parnell Fire Brigade, under Captain Judge, were on the scene in a short space of time, but the fire had got "a good hold, and was not suppressed till the premises -had been completely gutted. The (ire brigade had a good pressure of water, and succeeded in confining the fire to the building in which it bad originated. Mr. Witheford had the shop insured for £200 in the National, and Mrs. Bell bad her stock and furniture insured in the same office for £150. The origin of the fire is, as usual, wrapped in mystery. It appears to have originated in the kitchen, where Mrs. Bell had had a fire on in an American stove. Daring the evening her lodger, Mr. Henry West, had thrown on a shovelful of slack and closed the draughts up. lie was awakened by the smoke and noise, and roused up Mrs. Bell, who occupied the adjacent room. They endeavoured to get down the staircase, but failing to do so, got out on the verandah. Mrs. Bell cannot account; for the origin of the fire. Constable Hobson made the necessary inquiries, but failed to elicit anything further than is stated above.