FIRE IN GLADSTONE ROAD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2403, 19 January 1909, Page 4

FIRE IN GLADSTONE ROAD

TIMBER SHED ABLAZE. A few minutes past six o'clock la,it. evening the pending of the firebell announced an outbreak in Gladstone Road. As the business places hid just closed tlieir doors there were a (large number of people in the streets, aud a great'scurrying took place in the direction of Derby Street, where heavy clouds of black smoke were tobe seen rolling skyward. It was ni first thought by many that Holy Trinity Church was nblhze, but in a few moments it was discovered that the fiames and smoke were issuing from Mr. J. Wliinray’s timber shed, situated at. the back of his premises in Gladstone Road, and immediately behind the church.

Members of the Fire Brigade fortunately happened to he holding n. practice in Palmerston Road, and within one minute they were in Gladstone Road, making for the fire. On their arrival, two jets of hose were immediately got to work, and in a very few minutes they extinguished the flames. The shed contained a quantity of ini!liable timber, a lathe, and _ some mouldings, but the flames did not have time to get a proper hold of them, being confined to the walls and roof by the efforts of the brigade. Had” the brigade not arrived so (promptly, however, a big conflagration would have been inevitable, as adjacent to the burning shed were simifhr buildings containing quantities of kapok and flax, while further towards the frontage there was a lot of very inflammable light timber. _ It is thought that the fire originated in an outbuilding in the church grounds, and that it was probably caused by some person, throwing down u. lighted maicli. . Mr. Whin-ray is at present in Auckland, but Mr. AY. Whinrav told a “Times” representative that the extent of the damage would only amount to a few pounds, and that the loss is fullv covered by insurance.