FIRE AT MANGAPAPA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3716, 30 December 1912, Page 5

FIRE AT MANGAPAPA.

HOUSE TOTALLY DESTROYED

Exactly at 9 o’clock, on Saturday night, the fircbell rang out an alarm and the Brigade’s new motor engine proceeded on its first commission in the direction of Mangapapa, where there was a bright illumination in the sky. Tli3 outbreak was found to be in the four-roomed dwelling, owned and occupied by Mr J. D. McLeod, in the vicinity of Bell’s store. The brigade arrived in good time, but as there was no water, little could be done and the place was totally destroyed. The house was insured in the Government Office for £3OO and the furniture in the Queensland office for £ 100. Mr McLeod is a widower and his mother, who hks been keeping house for him, is at present away in Auckland on holiday. On’Saturday Mr. McLeod arrived home at 5 p.m. and lighted a fire in the kitchen range, cooking himself"some tga. At 7 p.m., he left fori town, leaving a smouldering fire. Next, he knew was that he was advised at 10 p.m. at the Opera House that his house was on fire. He believed everything to be safe when he left the house, but could only surmise that the fire had been caused through sparks flying from the range. Mrs McLeod lost a large amount of personal effects, which are uninsured. The fire was discovered by Mr Hayward Ford, f~-mer, at 8.45 p.m., when lie was riding homewards, flames then issuing from Die kitchen window. The fire wo-keel tremendous havoc, only the chivi nevs being left standing.