INQUEST ON THE LATE FIRE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 646, 10 March 1879, Page 2

INQUEST ON THE LATE FIRE.

An enquiry into the cause of the late fire, by which fire five buildings were destroyed, was entered upon Saturday afternoon, which resulted in' the return of an open verdict. The fire broke out on Mr. Dugleaux's building, and communicated to the rest. Mr. Dugleaux had risen soon after four o'clock m the morning. Had lighted a fire, boiled a kettle of water, and made a cup of tea for himself. He then went to his bakehouse, distant up the Gladstone Road, leaving the fire burning, but, as he honght, quite safe. Mr. and Mrs. Smith resided next door, and were m bed at the time. They had heard the crackling of timber. Mr. Smith left his bed and lifting the window curtain of his room, saw Mr. Dugleaux'a back premises on fire. An alarm was given ; assistance was rendered. Many effects were saved and a great deal destroyed. The block was burned to the ground within an hour and a half after the first alarm. An open verdict was the result. Mr. Dugleaux's building was the first on fire. The adjoining ones were, m the absence of a strong force of water, doomed.