FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2603, 10 September 1909, Page 4

FIRE.

OUTBREAK IN GLADSTONE ROAD

At ton minutes to one o’clock this morning the Victoria fircbell jiealed out an alarm of fire. Mr. V. Peterson, who happened to be passing at the time, noticed smoke issuing from the roof of the block of buildings in Gladstone Iload on the corner of Bright Street, adjoining the vacant section where Dr. Cole’s old house was recently burned down. It was quickly ascertained that the outbreak was in the shop occupied by Messrs Ferguson Bros, as a fruit and general grocery store, and in an incredibly short time after the sounding of the alarm the Brigade, under Superintendent Townley had arrived, and with two leads of hose going, one at the front and the other at the rear of the building, they quicldv subdued the flames, which had originated in the back portion of the promises used as a grocery store. It was no doubt owing to the fact that' - the members of the Fire Brigade and City Band had been holding ;% reunion that the members of the Brigade were so quickly on the scene, as the gathering had only broken up a short time prevously, and some of the men were on their way lioine jvlien the alarm was sounded. Had ft not been for their prompt arrival, there is little doubt that probably the whole block of old buildings would have been entirely destroyed, as when the back door was first broken open the flames appeared to have a good hold, and were rapidly increasing in volume. The origin of the outbreak is unknown. Mr. Charles Ferguson stated to a “Times” reporter that ho locked up the premises securely at 10 p.m., but about an hour later he had occasion to cntc-r the back of the shop in order to obtain some tobacco for his brother. He had to use a match to find the tobacco, but when he finally left the shop everything appeared to be all right, and there was certainly no indication of fire. The block of buildings seem fated to be destroyed by fire, as since Dr. Cole’s old residence adjoining was burnt down some months ago, there lias been a small outbreak in the shop adjoining Messrs Ferguson’s,which was was occupied lav Mr. Whittet as a fancy goods and crockery-ware establishment. The buildings are owned by Mr. U . Hamon antTleased to Mr. R. S. Chilton. who has sub-let the four shops to Messrs H. J. McClymont, tailor, Whittet, Ferguson Bros., and J. F. Jeune, tent nnd sail-maker. Messrs Ferguson’s stock was insured for £IOO in the Guardian office. Though it was not possible to exactly ascertain the extent of the damage this morning, it would appear that more damage lias been done by water than by the actual fire, which* was fortunately confined to a comparativlv small area. Mr Chilton has an insurance of £I3OO on the block.