FIRE AT PETONE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 135, 4 March 1929, Page 13

FIRE AT PETONE

TWO HOUSES DESTROYED A fire occurred at Riddler’s Crescent, Petoue, on Saturday night, when two onestory wooden buildings were totally destroyed. The Petone Fire Brigade received the call a few minutes after 7 o’clock, but owing to the uncertainty of the alarm, were some time in finding the exact location of the fire. When the brigade arrived, one house, No. 22, was a mass of flames. The brigade were handicapped by the dense crowds, and the volumes of smoke issuing from the buildings. Owing to the low pressure of water from the mains, only one lead could be brought to bear, but the fire had obtained too great a hold for anything effective to be done under the conditions, especially to No. 22. The brigade concentrated on No. 24, without much hope of success. The Gear Meat Company aided by bringing their pumping plant into commission, and leads were put on. although the pressure was still poor. After an hour and a half of fighting, when both houses were practically, destroyed, the pressure rose from 251 b. to over 401 b. When the flames were finally extinguished, only the chimneys were left standing. . , Deputy Superintendent Whitcher, who was in charge of the fifteen firemen working, stated that the whole side of the 'street, southwards, would have gone if a northerly wind had been blowing, but, as luck would have it, a light southerly was blowing, and the northern house was next ■ to a vacant section. The houses destroyed were:.No. 22 Riddler’s Crescent; occupied by Mr. McCascall, and owned by Mr. Gilmour, of Bnttania Street, Petone. The house was insured for The insurance on the furniture is not available. , r . No; 24. occupied and owned by Mr. L 1 " 0 "’ then The house was insured for iJW. A third house was scorched, and several windows were broken. Fireman Davis suffered severe burns on-his arms and one hand, and after receiving attention, was taken to his