FIRE AT WANGANUI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 289, 13 December 1897, Page 5

FIRE AT WANGANUI.

A* WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WANGANUI, this day.

A sad fatal fire occurred here at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, when St. John's Working Men's Club was totally destroyed, as was also a large malt house adjoining. Owing to leakage in the water mains, supposed to have been caused by the recent earthquake, the brigade, who worked splendidly, had but a feeble supply of water at command, which was utterly inadequate to cope with the flames. Mrs J. McGregor, wife of the custodian, who it was believed was safe out of the building, was subsequently found to have perished, and her charred remains were taken to the morgue. Both the club and the malt houses were owned by Mr Thatcher, who is at present in England. The total insurance is said to be £1,400 —£600 on each building in the South British and £200 on the stock of the malt houses in the same office, but the correct particulars are not yet available.