FIRE AT TAKAPUNA

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 98, 24 April 1886, Page 2

FIRE AT TAKAPUNA

About four o'clock yesterday morning an old six-roomed wooden dwelling, situated near tho Roman Catholic College, Takapuna, and rented by v man named Edward Barry, was burnt to the ground. The building wns very rapidly consumed, and the inmates, who consisted of Mr nnd Mrs Barry (both elderly peoplo over sixty years of age) and two boys, named respectively Michael Ireland and ['.Award Anson, narrowly escaped with their lives. None of tbo furniture or effects was saved, and as thoy wore uninsured Mr Barry sets down his loss at about £70. Ho said that when lie retired to rest at 11 o'clock on Thursday night everything seemed safe. Just about 1 o'clock noxt morning Mrs Barry was aroused by a noise in the kitchen, and on proceeding thither she found it in Humes. Having roused her husband and ths boys, she effected her escape by a window, but in doing so fell and cut and bruised herself about the head anil face. The fire destrorod the house within fifteen minutes from tho tune the alarm was given. Two neighbours, named Richard Kelly and John Press, saw tho flames, but were too far oif to arrive in time to be of any use. Tho house and sito are Roman Catholic church property and aro vested In bishop Redwood of Wellington, from whom Barry rented. It is believed that the houso was insured.