DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT MAUNGATUROTO.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2500, 29 March 1878, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT MAUNGATUROTO.

A DISASTROUS lire broke out on Tuesday in the out-buildiogs near the house of Mr Charles Spragg, formerly of Auckland, but who settled about two years ago on his land at Maungaturoto. At half-past four o'clock on the morning in question, Mr and Mrs Spragg were aroused by a sharp knocking at the house door, and on getting up Mr Spragg was informed by Andrew Kerr, a lad in his employ, that a shed was on fire, and at once discovered the ilanies rushing through the roof. Unfortunately the tanks and tubs were all dry, as Mr Spragg had cleaned them out on the previous day, in the expectation of rain. There were no neighbours at hand, and no one reached the place until the whole of the buildings, house and sheds, were burnt to the ground. The lad Kerr states that he was disturbed by hearing a crackling noise, which he thought was the rain on the roof, but was soon indeceived by indications of fire. He immediately rushed to the house and knocked at the door. Seeing no chance of saving the buildings, Mr and Mrs Spragg, the lad, and a little girl of the house, set to and tried to save what iurui - ture they could; but, so rapid was the spread of the flames, the wind blowing from the east towards the house, that the only things saved were the harmonium, a chest drawers, two feather beds, a box, and a few other articles. The value of the property destroyed is estimated at not less than £500, including a choice library of several hundred volumes, three watches, and two time-pieces of considerable value. The cause of the fire is unknown, it is vaguely conjectured, however, that as some bush had been previously burning, a spark might have been blown to the shed where the fire originated. The building was insured for £100 in the Royal Insurance Company.