A Strange Fire.
At about 8 o'clock on Saturday night an alarm of fire was given on the upper flrebel I, It turned out to be an unoccupied house In Russell Street. It appears that Master Edward Kenney, having been sent on a message, was returning to his home, and from Gladstone Road saw the glare of a fire, apparently under tlie house, He immediately gave the alarm, but it vyas too late to do anything tpwards saving the place. The fire appeared to have started somewhere about the left centre of ther cottage. One or two persons were able to enter the back part, but found nothing in the home to save. There was a high wind blowing at the time, but fortunately it was not in the direction of the neighbors’ dwellings. The place burned down very rapidly. Several persons passed the house very shortly before ihe fire was noticed and they state that there
were then no signs of fire or smoke. One peculiar part of the thing is that the back door of the house was found to be opened, and though the night had been stormy and wet no damp was noticeable in the back room, the conclusion of course being that the door had not long been opened before the fire was discovered. The front door was also open and it would have been possible for some of those who were there first to have walked right through the house. The only way we can account for the fire is that it was the deliberate act of an incendiary, or that some boys had been playing thoughtless tricks, and the latter is a most improbable theory. The Brigade, considering the circumstances, rolled i|p in excellent time, with their manual engine, and though there was no immediate need for their services, they had the unplea ant task of quenching the embers, to avert any further danger. The house, we believe, belonged to Mrs H. E. Webb, the agent for whom was Mr F, Dufaur. It was a sixroomed tenement and was insured for £lOO in the New Zealand office, but the Building Society held a mortgage over it. About six weeks previously it liad been occupied by a person named Stroater aud his
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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 227, 27 November 1888, Page 2
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378A Strange Fire. Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 227, 27 November 1888, Page 2
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