HOUSE DAMAGED BY FIRE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25766, 30 March 1949, Page 6

HOUSE DAMAGED BY FIRE

OUTBREAK EARLY YESTERDAY

THREE FAMILIES LOSE POSSESSIONS 4 Three families lost most of their possessions when fire severely damaged a big wooden house at 8 McMillan avenue, Cashmere, early yesterday morning. The house, which is owned by Mr W. J. Scott, of 47 McMillan avenue, contained six flats, of which five were occupied. The Fire Brigade was summoned by telephone at 1.49 a.m. The flames had a good hold on the arrival of an engine from the Central Fire Station, and one from the Sydenham station. The house is insured.

The occupants of the house were as follows: —Mr and Mrs W. Rosenberg; Mr and Mrs A. N. Prior, and one child; Dr. John M. Hansen, Mrs Hansen, and two children; Mr and Mrs M. Gray, and infant daughter; and Mr and Mrs A. J. Mills. Messrs Rosenberg and Prior are lecturers at Canterbury University College. Mrs Rosenberg was the first to be aroused by the fire, when she heard something fall in the living room of her flat shortly after 1.30 a.m. On investigation she found the room ablaze. The Priors were warned, and escaped with their child and a few possessions. Mr and Mrs Rosenberg’s flat was gutted, Mrs Mills, whose husband was away, also lost most of her possessions, and Dr. Hansen’s flat was damaged slightly by fire and soaked with water. The flat occupied by Mr and Mrs Gray was not damaged. The fire started at the rear of the building, and soon spread through the fiats on the top floor. By the time the hoses were laid the flames had a good hold, and the officer in charge of the brigade called for assistance. Another engine was sent from the Central station.

Falling timber and dangerously shaking chimney tops made the work difficult, but 600 gallons of water a minute were pumped on to the flames. At 4.30 a.m., when the fire was thought to be under control, a vacant flat, which was locked, burst into flames at the back of the house. The doors were broken in and the flames put out in a few minutes. The firemen put up a creditable performance, and were able to save most of the lower floor. All but a small part of the tiled roof fell in, and the shattered remains lay a foot deep in parts of the house. 'The walls were badly charred in the northeast quarter, and other parts of the top storey. The firemen helped tenants on the ground floor to salvage their belongings, and it was after 8 o’clock before two of the engines returned to their stations. One engine remained, with the firemen still pouring water on the smouldering debris, and they were still there at 8 o’clock last evening. The tenants have found temporary accommodation with relatives or friends.

House’s Unusual History The house was built in 1907 on the Esplanade, Sumner, for Mrs A. Q. Townend. but. when she decided to move, in 1911, it was transferred, over a period of months, to its present site. The job was completed in 1912, after the house had been taken to pieces and shifted with horses. On Mrs Townend’s death the house was left to Miss Maud Tabart. after whose death it was sold to Mr Scott.