FIRE IN PEEL STREET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2489, 30 April 1909, Page 4

FIRE IN PEEL STREET.

HAIRDRESSING & TOBACCONIST SHOP ABLAZE.

SERIOUS CONFLAGRATION NARROWLY AVERTED.

At a few minutes past twelve o’clock: this morning. Constable Scott, who wanon night duty, and Air, W. Eraser, borough nightwatchman, saw a glare in the window of Mr. J. M. Lennon s hairdressing and tobacconist s shop. Reel Street. Mr. Fraser went to ring the ball, which rang out at 8 minutes past 12, and soon brought some help. The door of the shop was burst open, and an attempt was made to smother the flames, which were coming from behind the counter. Tin's attempt wshlinsuccossful. No water was available, the To Aral supply being cut off, and ns the flames were rapidly gaming hold, the door was shut to keep out air. Jhe brigade, under Superintendent lown--ley, had® arrived by this, but as the wator supplv was turiiod off, some Jitthtime elapsed before the steamer at the Fire Brigade station was got to work to pump salt water from the river, through the fire mains. At twenty minutes past twelve the water wat> available, and its advent was greeted with.a cheer from the crowd that had gathered. The door was again opened, -and the hose turned on. The pressure was very strong, and soon put out tho flames, which had been partly smothered through the shop being kept shut. At one Time the situation looked, oxeeedinglv serious, for had the fire goc a sufficient hold before the water was turned on, there is no doubt that an extensive conflagration would have ensued. 'J'lie Turanganui Public Library is situated immediately above the tobacconist shop, and Messrs Hannah and Co.’s boot store is next door. Indeed it is impossible to say bow far in the block the fire might have spread. The interior walls of Air. Lennon s shop, with the shelves thereon, were considerably damaged bv the fire, as was the counter under which it broke out. Thesiock also sustained great damage, principally by the water. The injury wan confined to the shop, the mime., bavin" been prevented from spreading bv the brick partitions of the budding. Air. Lennon’s stock was insured toi £3OO- in the Standard Insurance Co., which lias also a risk of £IOO on the fittings and fixtures of the shop, ihe building, which is of black, is the property of Air. Herbert James Bushnell, stationer. Palmerston Raod. and is insured in the South’ British, Commercial. and National offices. There appears to be no evidence t |: > to how the fire was caused. Mr. Lennon left the shop about 8.45 p.m., when everything appeared all right. The firemen made a very prompt appearance on the scene, and their smai ness was recognised by cheers from the crowd. The absence of water, however. came near rendering their promptitude well night useless. It was over ten minutes after the alarm before the water, was playing on the fire. The delav was not the fault of The Brigade, lmt it- illustrates the danger to whicn the town is exposed while tne water supply is interrupted.