FIRE IN PEEL STREET.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 463, 4 July 1902, Page 2

FIRE IN PEEL STREET.

Shortly after eight o’clock last evening an alarm of fire was given, and a strong blaze was at the time the bell rang showing on the Soon a great crowd collected in the vicinity of the burning house, which was a cottage near the railway bridge, lying a little back from Peel street. The fire then had a complete mastery over the building, and the crowd could do little more than gaze upon the scene, there fortunately being no buildings adjoining, and the night being calm, so that there was no likelihood of the wind carrying spares on to the, neighboring tenements. The house was one in the occupation of Mrs Hiqkey and family ; and was owned by Captain 'Pucker ; it was a four-roomed one. Mrs Hickey accompanied by the two children, had gone up the town ; she thought it was only a few minutes before the alarm was given, but the time must have been longer than she imagined, as the fire apparently had a good hold before lllC bell WflK rmiir If UTdtN narmvnntl..

* •* t \vd.> tippaienuy brst noticed from Mr P. Green’s bouse which is close by. Miss Green noticed Hie flare, and called attention to it. A man who was passing by with a parcel took up the alarm, and Mr Green, who ttas in bed at the time, soon got up and ran to the scene. The flames then were breaking out at the back portion ot the house. He burst in the front window, fearing that there was some one in the house. At great risk to himself he made a hasty search, but the fire was gaining very rapidly, and the air irom the front caused it to burn still more furiously, and Mr Green had to beat a hasty exit. By liiis time a large crowd was gathering and some attempts were made to gei articles of furniture out, but pructiCitliy nothing could tie done in that direction. A report spread rapidly that someone was sleeping m the house, and calls were made for Mrs Hickey and the children without response. The alarm was intensified as peculiar noises were heard from within the house. The sound seemed like the

whine of a dog, but there was the fear that it might be the cry ot a child ; a rush was made towards the portion oi tne house whence the .sounds proceeded. Mr Marshall bravely rushed m through the smoke, and soon, to the relief ot tile spectators, emerged witJi a little terrier. At this stage, also, the anxiety was allayed by word being received that Mrs Hickey and children had arrived in the vicinity, ‘and were quite safe. In reply to a fi lines reporter, Mrs Hickey stated that she had leit home only a tew minutes neiouthe fire had broken out. Her usual custom, she said, was to put the children to bed when going out of an evening. but fortunatelyt .on this occasion, they had accompanied her to town. Apparently everything was quite sale when she leit the house, and she could not understand how the tire could have originated. There had been a lire m the kitchen—the seat of the outbreak seemed to be in that part of tiie house —but that seemed quite saie when she went out. Tiie insurance on the house could not be ascertained last evening, Captain Tucker saying that he did not know the amount, and in fact was not sure that the house was insured. The furniture and effects were insured for £7O, but Mrs Hickey states that her loss will re considerably over that.