THE CONVENT FIRE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17104, 28 March 1921, Page 2

THE CONVENT FIRE.

A SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT.

(ritESS ASSOCIATION" TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, March 26.

The eight Sisters and six pupils of St. Joseph's Convent at Grey Lynn-had a narrow escape, the flames rapidly traversing the wooden building, which was old, very dry, and two storeys high. When tho tire had just started a man who first observed, it states that he saw another man lea ving tho spot, an I spoke to him. -Tho latter made no replv, but immediately liiurried away across the street and disappeared around a corner. The place where the fire originated is easily accessible from the street. It had ho gas nor electric wires. Tho police arc. investigating the matter. The building was valued at between £4OOO and JESOGO. It was insured fur £IOOO and tho contents for £3OO. & Tho inmates of tihe institution hnd escaped from tlie convent before the arrival of the Brigade, some by means of lire escapes, others (including an invalid Sister) bv tho verandah posts. The Sisters heroically devoted themselves to getting tlio children under their care out of tho place. Only when' the girls had been placed beyond any danger did thoyConsider their own welfare.

Residents in the neighbourhood provided accommodation for .the children, and the sisters were taken in motor cars to their house at St. Benedict's,