Possessions lost in fire

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33314, 27 August 1973, Page 18

Possessions lost in fire

A married couple escaped with only the clothes they were wearing from their burning house at 13 Lenton Street, Aranui, about 8.30 a.m. yesterday.

Everything else in the house, which was not insured, was lost. Firemen found the house burning fiercely, and could do little to save it.

Mrs J. Burbery discovered the fire when’ she got out of bed to investigate a crackling noise. As she opened the bedroom door, she saw flames leaping through the roof and walls of the lounge adjoining. She woke her husband, and ran across the street to telephone the fire brigade from a neighbour’s house. When she returned, the heat was too intense to enter the house to save any possessions. Firemen from the Central and Woolston fire stations played two hoses on the fire but were unable to stop it from totally destroying the

house. Only the front walls and a few studs at the back were left standing. Mrs Burbery was left with only her night attire, and Mr Burbery was without shoes and had only light clothing. Inside the house, a stereophonic record-player, a lounge suite, and furniture

were damaged beyond repair. A budgerigar in the lounge was burnt to death. Neighbours sifted through the remains yesterday afternoon, but they came across nothing of value. The house was a small wooden one, and was owned by Mr A. Wright, of Bridge

Street, Aranui. It is believed; that the fire began inside the! chimney. Mr and Mrs Burbery have received offers of help from the Salvation Army and the 101 Club, a social club which gives charitable gifts of $lOl. They spent last evening at a friend’s house.