GISBORNE CONFLAGRATION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2126, 27 February 1908, Page 3

GISBORNE CONFLAGRATION

BIG BLAZE IN GLADSTONE GOAD. TEAT AMD FRIARS STORE TOTALLY DESTROYED.

MELBOURNE CASH AND SMITH’S PHARMACY BADLY DAMAGED.

Gisborne ‘-residents wero provided tvitli a rare spectacle last night, when ono of tho biggest lives that has been seen hero for some years occurred in Gladstone read. Tho flames crackled ■and roared, tongues of lire licked the studs and rafters, and all so fiercely and ravenously that within little more than half ait hour they had literally eaton up the whole of a two-stereyeu building and its contents. It was about a quarter to ton oclock that the ringing ot the firobell first announced the fact that Messrs Teat and Friars grocery store was on firo, and already -it liatl sik.li a hold that huge flames could he seen darting up from the roof at the rear of the buildingStill unsatisfied tho hungry flames surged around tho topmost rafters, and”reached out for poiuts of contact with neighboring buildings, so that the thousands of spectators who assembled forgot the grandeur of the scene in a sickening fear that the whole of tho block as far as Townlcy s corner would share in tho ruin. However, thanks to an energetic fire brigade, a brick wall, and still more a providential dispensation which ordained a calm night for tho blaze, thi9 great disaster was averted. Things looked decidedly dismal for some time, for every minute that elapsed before tlio: whter was- turned on set-mod to witness a fresh impetus on the part of the flames to make new contacts. A right-of-way separated Teat and Friar’s from Smith's Pharmacy, but the heat was so tremendous along the adjacent wall that it seemed almost certain tke interior would ultimately firo, whilst tho position of the Melbourne Gash had become almost hopeless when tho water was first turned on. A brick wall separated these two buildings, and but for its existence it is exceedingly probable that the whole block would have been endangered, as this was the last effective barricade from fire Naturally the first thought of the crowds who hurried along to see the blaze was: “How will the new water supply behave?’ There was the unspoken thought: “Now we shall see how little chance a fire has in the main street with high pressure water supply taps all along the road!” Impatiently they waited for the drenching showers that were to savo the situation, yet as they waited the flames roared tho more, and rushing from room to room and from ono roofto another, seemed to mock tho potty mortals who had hoped to achieve so much with the To Arai water. As a matter of fact, the new supply was not available when it was wanted, and tlie brigade hid to fall back after all on the old steamer and the, manual. in its heroic fight to save the propertv of the citizens. The fire-fightors did magnificent work with this limited supply, and had practically assured the safe!- of the neighboring buildings when the turning on of tho high pressure supply made the remainder of their task very much easier. The brigade made very creditable, speed in getting the water on from the river, having the hose on to tho burning building within ten minutes of the time the firebell rang, but even that brief period would have permited tho flames to obtain a strong hold on neighboring premises had there been any wind to assist them. There were hundreds of people on the scene within a few minutes of the ringing of the firobell. and numbers of willing workers gave very valuable assistance, in removing goods, from premises that appeared to be in danger, whilst an energetic bucket brigade performed yeoman service in utilising the tanks at the rear of the Melbourne Cash to drench the roof before the fire hoses could be turned When the fire was at its height it provided a brilliant spectacle. It wormed its wav in and out of tho big building, then hurled itself in huge bursts of vivid flame away into the sky, and sent still higher, millions of sparks scudding away into the blackened night. Every now and then would come an ominious crackle and yells of “Look out!” to warn the firemen, and a moment later part of the burning building would crash to tlitground. The heat was terrific, and people standing on the roots of buildings 40 or 50 yards away found it extremely uncomfortable. A shed at the back of Teat and Friar’s was given a good deal of attention, for if it had once got faiily ablaze, a row of sheds extending for some distance, and including Mr. Townley’s workshop, might have been destroyed. At one time flames were actually issuing from the roof of the Melbourne Cash, but the high pressure water was available just in time to quench them. Firemen had to wrench the capping from the roof to get at the flames underneath. When the whole of the available supplv was turned on, there seemed to be sufficient water to effectively soak a bigger town than Gisborne, and the fire that had already almost burned itself out was cjuic'klv given ■a rapid arid ignominious end. The bell was rung by Frank Boyd, and in a very short space of time a very large crowd collected. It was immediately seeii that tho outbreak occurred at the rear premises where the kerosene was stored, and the lne had evidently been burning lor sometime before it was discovered, and the flames were seen bursting through the roof of the rear portion and back sheds The slied door was opened, and an attempt to save the contents was made. It was, however, found -.to be useless owing to the great heat and tho clouds of smoke. 1 ho heat became too much for the crowd at the back, and they had to make a hasty retreat- The brigade,. under Superintendent Townlcy, arrived tour minutes after the be.ll rang, and the fust jet was poured on just ten mmutes after tlio warning was gi'™. Ihc salt mains were at once called into requisition, and three hoses from, this source* did very useful work, * connection was made with the muTho Arai wafer supply was turned o f at Lytton road owing to the te,.im._. operations, and it was ball an mubefore tho supply was available., tunately, Mr. Hay, Bo rouge Hum cock, was at Lytton road, and bad turned tho water oft shortly ait r ~ o’clock, but coining down the road, t noticed the glare of the fire, s:.( immediately returned and put the water on. Had he not been «» lm.uiy it would Juivo been an ho,u at least before tlie water from Unit source would have been available Unto jets were put on from the Arai supply and they did good work the yresfsuro being fairly ’ j two jets, however, which i .• o - s b ■ d as useless, as the wain a. - > ' » the nozzle very weak >- <-ml it was amusing to watch a ' p. t ) u , Teatuand Friar’s. Tbjs was oMS j the fact that a «mplo ‘Udy ” ? did not fit properly. A ' cjovply of water was maintain . j oral hours. Dense clouds •• •• j caused by tho water Paying «» JJ.j flames, rose skyward, an tho spectacle somewhat «11 ~ Then the flames gut Hie bette r ot brigade for a space, of flame \va- seen, and Hie near iotensD. . p> It was soon seen that 31r. E- ; Smith’s pharmacy and tho Mel boll 11 Cash establishment had also °aug . fire. Flames were seen from i’uSmith’s upper windows, and Mr. GE. Darton was in the house, and, W.itli Mr. Smith did a lot of work in saving the place. The curtains caught, an tho defenders had a very rnx.-on time Tunning upstairs with buckotr but again and again the (ire wou'd attack the inflammable materia!, am 1 serious dangor was only narrowly av erted. A good deal 'of water' was turned on Mr. Smith’s, and this cans-

ctl a lot of damage to his household effects. Tho bannisters of tho stains wore damaged through the heat, -and .'■lino u.image i,,.:. done also in tho

i-..-..p. The Mclb.mrno Cash establishment took lire on tho roof, and for a while the position looked dangerous, but- tho brigade, which did excellent service, indeed, turned their efforts in that direction, and the Ilanies were subdued; not, however, before a great deal of damn go had boon done by water. Directly in opposition to tho Superintendent’s instructions, tho plate glass window was smashed in, thus letting the draught in. Whilst, carrying a heavy article from tho shop, a young man named Jackson knocked his head against the plate glare, and sustained a very painful cut on his forehead. It bled very freely, and he staggered off the footpath". The sufferer was attended by Or. AVillianis, who put in five stitches.' lie was convoyed to the Coronation Hotel. A band of willing workers carried out the large stock from the shop ami deposited it on the roadway. Later on a quantity was returned, and the remainder was covered by a tarpaulin and left for the night. Tho Melbourne Cash suffered greatly through water, which covered everything. Mr. Morris, of tho Melbourne Cash, is stated to be away in Wellington. Attention, however, centred on Tent- and Friar’s, and tho efforts of the brigade were concentrated in confining tho fire to that building, ns there was not a chance of saving it or its contents. For a long while tlie inside portion was nothing else but a veritabe furnace, and nothing could have lived inside it for a moment. Mr. J. G, Cox’s dentist rooms were above Teat and Friar’s, and they were quickly a mass of flames, and Mr. Cox lost everything, there being no possibility of getting near his rooms. At I0.lt) the lire was still blazing •fiercely inside the building,, and fivo minutes later Mr. Cox’s floor gave way and fell through to the ground, ■shortly afterwards, a cry was raised that- the wall next Mr. Smith’s was falling. It was -certainly yielding, but it did not fall. At 10.30 the fire was practically out, except for a slight blaze at the top of tho building, and this was speedily overcome. Tho water was, however, kept- on for an hour and a half later to meet any contingencies. The rear premises of Mr. C’. Ferguson’s fruit shop caught alight, and JO men were kept busy with buckets for a while in subduing it. Mr. W. J. Cox’s grocery store was it one time thought to be in danger, uul a few articles were shifted.

The highest praise is .due to the brigade, who, numbering under 20, performed most creditably, and, nit for their efforts, the whole block to Townley’s -corner would have gone. I’lie brigade has a smoke helmet, but it was not required in this instance. Tho localities of the fire plugs are not- yet marked, and there was some lifficulty in finding one of them, but io appreciable delay was caused. An engine was taken to Mr. Town-k-y’s well.- and water was pumped, "nit it was observed that five ladies lid tho work, where men might have ■omo to the rescue. Another alarm was given by tho ii-obel! at 12.35 a.m., when it was discovered that the top portion of Tent and Friar’s had again become : m-!ted. The outbreak was small, uul was soon dealt with. The Superintendent states that he >arsed the scene a few minutes be"ore the bell rang, but he saw no sign if fire. The police and night watchman are looking after tlie premises till morning. The insurances could net be ascertained last- night, but it is stated that Mr, J. G. Cox and the Melbourne Cash were uninsured. Teat and Friar’s were insured in the London Liverpool and Globe, and Mr. Smith in the New Zealand, but the amounts -re not yet known. Several of the -firemen sustained minor injuries.

A, GENEROUS ACT. Air. D. E. Dustin kindly provided i hot coffee supper for tlie members if the Brigade and all those who asisted wit-li tlie work of fighting the are and in salvage operations.