FIRE ON WHATAUPOKO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2295, 14 September 1908, Page 2

FIRE ON WHATAUPOKO.

A FAMILY BURNT OUT. Early on Sunday morning a fivcroomeu wooden house in Ormond Road, AVhataupoko, owned by Mr. F. Stafford, and occupied by Mr. J. Norcross, butcher, was, witli its contents, totally destroyed by fire. 'J bo firo started shortly after threo o’clock, Mr. and Mrs. Norcross and family being sound asleep in bod, when they wero suddenly awakened by the roar of Haines. On retiring for the night, a small fire had been left burning in the dining-room grate, but it is not known whether any of the firo fell out and set tho lloor alight, or whether the house caught from the chimney, which was defective. A light breeze was blowing at tho timo, and tho liames soon spread, and it was with difficulty that'tho occupants escaped in thoir sleeping clotlios. A lady staying in the house managed to drug a small chest of drawers, which was on castors, through tho flames, but that was the only article saved from the ruins. A boy sleeping in the house lost all his clothes and a silver watch and gold chain, which was found melted up like a ball oi amalgam at daylight. When the fire brigado arrived on the scene the house had been burnt to the ground, and thoir efforts wero only successful to the extent of saving the washhouse. The house was insured, but for what amount Mr. Stafford does not know until ho examines his policies to-day. Tho furniture and effects wore insured for £‘2so, but Mr. Norcross states that amount will not nearly cover his loss, as some valuable oil paintings wero destroyed.