FIRE AT WELLESUEY-STREET SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 13, 16 January 1905, Page 2

FIRE AT WELLESUEY-STREET SCHOOL.

But for early discovery and prompt action • Weilesley-street elementary school,' the laigesi in the city, would have either been seriously damuged or destroyed by fire this atternoon. Mr 8. C. McCarthy, the senior Auckland stipendiary was passing the school about 2.15 "o'clock, when he saw a very small wreath of 'smoke floating away ironi a window near the entrance to the girls' department. He at ouee ran across to the Police Onice, and Sergeant Hendry's assistance was obtained. Mr J. H. Langley, builder, of Epsom, joined the party, and he was tire first to enter the school, a large window being smashed. A small room adjoining the library aud committee room was filled with smoke, and it was found that a large case crammed with papers and other inflammable material was well alight. Sergeant Hendry and Mr Langle-y promptly set about removing the burning ease, and this having been accomplished, the pair sustaining a few cuts, and Mr Langley some burns on the hands in the process the tire was extinguished. When the City Fire Brigade arrived all danger had passed but it was generally conceded that had the lire been given another naif an hour the well-seasoned wooden buildings, to the value of several thousand pounds, would have been thoroughly ablaze. The school buildings are not insured, the Government undertaking to replace the building if destroyed. The damage amounts to a few pounds.