FIRE AT ASHBURTON.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 22, 21 October 1907, Page 8

FIRE AT ASHBURTON.

A FAMILY'S NARROW ESCAPE. ;. : r . Ashburton, October 20. ' At two o'clock this morning the'business';, premises in East Street, occupied by Mr. '. David 'Sutherland, confectioner and catorer.,' and Mr. A. "1\ H. Williams, bookseller and, stationer, were' gutted by ■ fire, and Mr. Sutherland, his wife, and a servant girl, who occupied the upper story as a :dwelling, just managed to 'escape by way, of the verandah; ■\Yhen Mr. Sutherland retired to bed at one o'clock everything was apparently safe, hit "■ ■ shortly beforo two o'clock the occupants of tlio shop wore aroused by Constablo O'Grady, Tho lire coinnienced in tho kitchen if Mr. Sutherland's shop, and tho rear portion oi , both premises, with contents, was gutted beforo the brigade subdued the flames. , Mi Sutherland's stock-in-trade, fittings, and dining-room furniture were insured for £308 . in tho North British, but there was no insurance on the household furniture and personal effects, which were all destroyed. Mr. Wil- ■' liams's stock was insured for £500, but ho waa carrying over £1000 .worth, which is more or less damaged by smoko, fire, and water. The building is owned by Mrs. W. Anderson, arid insured for about '£600 in the South British. The front portions of the shops, are not m»terially dahmged : by firo. ■'■ ■ ■■•■■••••. '.■ ■