BLAZE ON CASHMERE HILLS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17936, 3 December 1923, Page 8

BLAZE ON CASHMERE HILLS.

—.—9 LARGE RESIDENCE DESTROYED. A nine-roomed two-storey bungalow on Cashmere Hills, owned and occupied by Mr E. C. Huie, was totally destroyed by fire on Saturday night. The house, which had been built, only about eighteen months, was situated alongside the Hills School, just near the junction of the Dyer's Pass and Hackthorne roads. The firo had obtained a good hold before the brigades could' reatfh the scene, and in consequence it made a big blaze, which could be seen for miles. Mr j Huie was the last to leave the house, at about 7 o'clock on Saturday evening. The only fire which had been in the houso during the day was then still burning in a coke furnace used for providing hot water. It is presumed tlmt a spark from the furnace lodged in the woodwork and fanned by the high wind that was blowing, set the house alight. The alarm was given about eight o'clock by the conductor of the tram which left the terminus about that time. The conductor had given the alarm at Mr 0. H. Duff's store and Mr Duff had gathered together as many of the neighbours as possible. He alsb communicated with Mr Huie, was in town, and who returned home about 8.20 p.m. The neighbours in the meantime had removed a good deal of the furniture from the ground floor, including a piano. Sydenham Fire Brigade arrived about 8.30 p.m., and one tof the city engines shortly afterwards, but there was 60 little water in th© reservoir that it was impossible for them to do anything towards saving the house, and they confined their attentions to the neighbouring houses, which were in danger from the shower of sparks which wero being carried a great distance by the prevailing high wind. Indeed, the householders on the leeward side of Mr Huie's house had an anxious time up to 10.30 p.m. owing to the sparks and pieces of flaming material which were being carried by the wind at least a quarter of a mile. The adjoining house, that of of Mr E. F. J. Grigg, was at one time in great danger, but the efforts of the brigades saved it. The fire commenced in the southeastern. corner of the house, but fanned by the strong wind it gradually worked its way round until the whole was a blazing mass. Yesterday morning only the sttAiework and the chimney were standing, the interior being a mass of twisted iron-' work and smouldering ruin.

The house and furniture were insured in the Northern Insurance Company's office for £3000; but this does' not nearly cover the total loss. With regard to the water supply, the deputy-superintendent of the Christchurch Fire Brigade stated that as there was only a limited amount of water available, and practically no pressure, it "was obvious that the only thing to do was to concentrate on preventing any spreading cf the fire. Mr Huie's house wa* too far gone to save, and the Brigade contented itself with applying water to a beit of pine trees adjoining the burning house.