FIRE AT PAEROA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 259, 8 November 1897, Page 5

FIRE AT PAEROA.

FIVE BUILDINGS BURNED,

SCARCITY OF WATER.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent)

PAEROA, this day.

A destructive fire broke out on Sunday morning at two o'clock in Cassrels-street, Paeroa, resulting in the complete destruction of a block of live buildings, including Mrs Capill's boarding-house, Miss Hogan's boarding - house, O'DoHiielPs dwellinghouse, and two buildings owned by Mr Barrett, butcher, and occupied by Mrs Blank and Mrs Feeney. The ■ fire originated in Hogan's, and had a firm

hold when the alarm was given. The Fire Brigade, under Captain O'Hara and Lieutenant Moore, was quickly on the scene, and laboured splendidly to get the lire under and save property, their efforts being seconded by the crowd assembled by the alarm. .The Brigade had the misfortune to burst-400 feet-of hose hired from Mr Nelson with a manual engine, arid this and the absence of a proper water supply greatly increased the difficulty they experienced in subduing the lire. A strong* breeze was blowing, and the fire quickly spread to Capill's dwelling-house, being prevented from spreading further in that direction by the road. On the Western side Hogan's, O'Donnoll's, and Blank's premises were quickly consumed, the' roofs being shingle and dry. The brigade, with a salvage corps formed from the spectators, succeeded in saving the greater part of the furniture belonging to Mrs Capill and Mrs Blank. The brigade continued to labour incessantly, and succeeded in stopping the progress of the lire at Feeney's house, just as the spectators had almost chopped down the foundations preparatory to removing it to provide a gap. The origin of the lire is a mystery. It appeared to start in the ysitting - room of Miss Hogan's house, but she states that the first intimation she had of the fire was the cries of Miss Katie Fitzpatrick and Misses Power, who were returning from a concert at Waitekauri and sounded the alarm. The insurances so far as I am able to ascertain are :—

Miss Hogan, furniture £300, insured in the Mutual Company; house owned by Mr Power, insured for £300' in the Norwich Union. Capill's house, owner J. M. Coote, £100, United Company; O'Donnell's and Blank's, no insurance on furniture; buildings owned by Barrett, £100, Standard Company. Mrs Capill's furniture was. not insured, but nearly all was saved. O'Doiinell's furniture and effects wore uninsured and were totally destroyed. '