EPIDEMIC OF FIRES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144133, 1 July 1913, Page 3

EPIDEMIC OF FIRES.

IN 'GISBORNE ‘DISTRICT. OUTBREAK AT GASWORKS. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, Juno SO. There has been an epidemic of fires' during tho week end, no less than, five) being reported in the district ■sin.de!;:,:; Saturday. On Sunday a (small bouse at Matawhcro, occupied by Mr. Matliioson, was destroyed, and a* Patutahi Chas. M’Gannigan’s house was burped; to the ground. Later at Ormond a cottage occupied- by W. H. Jones caught fire and tho bedroom was-burn-ed. This afternoon a house in Lytton Road ocunpied by Thomas BartJjJtt was; destroyed. All these minor fires woteeclipsed this evening by an outbreak at, tho gasworks when; as tho result of ai hitch in-the system between, the retoriai and the refinery] a huge jet 1 of gas ignited and set fire to the surrounding buildings. The engine-housa and engine and boiler were badly dam-, aged and the men’s change room and! bath-room were destroyed together with! the men’s clothing and what effects ] they had in their pockets'* The insurances on tho gasworks arc spread over a number of offices and are not avail- - able to-night. ■ -Though the damage) was pretty severe tho efficiency of thel works is not impaired and the produo-' tion of gas will go on as usual. Dur-J ikk ing the; fire one of the Gas si.; employees, named J. Beattie, wae somewhat severely horned. ' ‘