BLAZE AT TAKAPUNA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 191, 12 August 1911, Page 5

BLAZE AT TAKAPUNA.

ST. PETER'S VXCABAGE DBf ■TKOYED. A PLUCKY RESCUE. VALUABLE LIBRARY DESTROYED In the early hours of this morning the newly-erected vicarage adjoining St. Peter's Church, Takapuna, was complete* ly burned to the ground. It was only a fortnight ago that the Vicar, the Rev. \Y. G. Monekton, and his family moved into the new residence, and betweea 2.30 and 3 a.m. this morning, Mist Houker, who is staying there, heard s> crackling sound outside her bedroom. She immediately arose, opened her d'*>r, and saw clouds of smoke issuing fitim the back of the building. The alarm was promptly given, and the other occupants, which included the Vicar, his wife, child, and father-in-law (Mr. Oldham), were awakened. Miss Houker then ran to a house a few hundred yards away, occupied by Mr. J. Collins, and called for assistance. With commendable promptitude Mr. Collins and his sons got up and proceeded to the burning house. When Mr. Collins arrived at about 2.50 a.m. the outbuildings adjoining the place were burning fleshly, and were just getting a hold on the building proper. Mrs. Monekton and child, scantily attired, were outside, and the former implored him to save her father. Mr. Collins could then see the Vicar in the front passage attempting to get Mr. Oldham, who is about 80 years of age, and a cripple, out. The latter wa« lying on the ground with a. bundle of clothes beside him, and despite the Vicar's frantic efforts ho was not able to move him.

By this time practically the ' entire building was in flames, and Mr. Monckton evidently overcome by the suffocaf in£ smoke came out of the house, nrd asked Mr. Collins to see what he could do to save the old gentleman.

Without hesitation the latter made his way into the passage, but,. Mr. Oldham seemed somewhat dazed and obstinate. He appeared to wish to save the clothes, and the plucky rescuer had to pick him up bodily and drag him to safety. Thru Mr. Collins, in order to gratify the old •rentleman's desire, once more entered the by now fiercely-raging hour,? in quest of the bundle. As he got nsar, however, a burst of flame sprang into the passage, and covered his clothes with » shower of sparks. Seeing it was impossible to get at the bundle Mr. Collins retired. In the meanwhile, one of--the latter'* sons clanged the church bell in order to summon help. Soon some 20 people were on the spot, hut the vicarage was now such a roaring mass of flame that it was seen to be wholly impossible to suve it, or any of the effects. Efforts were then directed to the church which is in the proximity of about 30 yards. Already the wooden walls at one.end were blistering ,with the heat, and the windows were cracking. Mr. Collins immediately ran to his house, secured a ladder, and putting it up against the side of the church, threw several buckets of water over the burned portions of the wood, but the heat from the other building compelled him to descend.

The walls at the east end of 'the church then became ignited, and a.bucket pump was obtained from Mr. Hill's house. This proved a great boon, and willing helpers soon had a good stream of water playing on the burning parts. Aiding Mr. Collins were, Messrs. Scanlen, W. Lisk, Moren, McKendry, Stewart, Granville, and others, and' before very long, although the valuable stained glass window's on ihe eastern side . were broken, the building was in safety. Meanwhile the vicarage was razed t6 the ground, and, with the exception of a few trifling articles, nothing. was saved.' The ■ loss to the Rev, Monekton is particularly severe, mnsmuch as his valuable library was destroyed entirely. The Communion service, value ten guineas, which had been removed from the church to' the vicarage.-for safety, was destroyed. . The vicarage-was a seven-roomed, one-storeyed house, only recently erected at a cost of £6OO. It is insured in the National for £500.: '-:"■ ■ -»•'- " '■■-■■ ■ -'"- •"•-■' '■