ONEHUNGA FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 142, 19 June 1933, Page 3

ONEHUNGA FIRE.

PARTY IN PROGRESS

CHILDREN'S HURRIED EXIT

A sudden outbreak of fire at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday disturbed a children's birthday party" in a five-roomed house at 20, Arthur Street. Onehunga, owned and occupied bv Mr. William Geo. Hudson. Members" of the family, with their guests, were in a front room, where a party was being held to celebrate the birthday of their young son. Suddenly the crackling of burning wood was heard and smoke entered into the room. The ceiling was found to be on fire. The children were immediately hurried out of the house, most of them hatless and coatless, as their heavier clothes had been left in the burning room. The Onehunga Fire Brigade arrived quickly, followed by the Mount Roskill Brigade. Firemen from the Mount Roskill station first attached their pump to the main, but this was blown off at the first coupling on the road. The pump was disconnected and the hoses were then attached to hvdrants in the ordinary way. The outbreak was soon suppressed, the flames being confined to the sitting room, where extensive damage was done to the ceiling. Some furniture was damaged by smoke and water, and the garments of some of the children were burned. , The house is insured for £000 with the British Traders Office, and the contents for £200 with the Australian Provident Office.