Extract from the "Kiama Independent" of September 10th, 1895 The Fire at Mr. John Love's House Totally Destroyed Considerable sympathy will be felt by the residents of Kiama and the friends of Mr. John Love at the news that the residence of that gentleman, situated at Nether Vale on the Gerringong road, was entirely destroyed by fire on Saturday last. So rapidly did the devouring element spread that scarcely anything of value, with the exception of a piano, was saved from the wreck, as in fifteen minutes only from the time the fire was discovered the house and contents were a mass of smouldering ashes. On enquiry from the unfortunate proprietor, who bears his loss with a fitting resignation, we learn that the only theory which can be put forward as the cause of the outbreak is that a spark from the chimney, alighting upon the shingled roof - which latter, being very dry, ignited like matchwood - burned its way through to the top floor, and a quantity of light pine forming the inner lining of the roof afforded additional impetus to the flames, which when discovered had taken a firm hold of the top floor, and though the inmates, who were at dinner when the fire was first noticed, put forth every endeavour to suppress its onward march the flames steadily burnt their way into the lower apartments, which together with everything in the house, other than the piano and a few things from the lower front room, which were only saved after a deal of trouble and risk, were a seething mass of flames. Mr. Love, who happened to be returning home from Kiama at the time the fire broke forth, on seeing his house in flames at once hurried to the scene, but though he worked hard and endeavored to save as much as possible in conjunction with the many willing helpers, all attempts proved futile and a very much burnt and blistered arm is borne by the unfortunate proprietor as a gruesome souvenir of the occasion. The insurance amounts to 300 pounds on the house only, the furniture and effects being uninsured, and that amount will scarcely cover one-half the damage and loss occasioned. With the kindly assistance of those who hurried to the spot, among whom were Messrs. W. Weir, W. Cochrane, John Rankin, Arthur Grey, and others, the outbuildings were saved, although sparks from the house kept continually igniting the shingle roofing and other portions and had it not been for the protection afforded by several large trees at the rear of the burning building, and a continual stream of water kept going on the spots where danger threatened, together with the fortunate circumstance that no wind was blowing at the time, in all probability the loss would have been much greater. The family and inmates of the house were left entirely without clothing other than that in which they stood, so that with the combined loss of their home, the inconvenience arising cannot be over-estimated. Mr. Love wishes to convey thanks to those mentioned above and others for the valuable assistance rendered, and especially to Constable Coates, of Gerringong, whose labors in preventing further injury from the smouldering ruins. We, together with the many friends of Mr. John Love and family, extend a hearty sympathy. John Graham johngrah@ozemail.com.au GENEALOGY FROM GERRINGONG http://www.ozemail.com.au/~johngrah/