BLAZE AT VOGELTOWN

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 141, 11 March 1930, Page 6

BLAZE AT VOGELTOWN

HOUSE DESTROYED OCCUPANTS’ FIRST NIGHT IN BUILDING A great' orange glow about 10 o’clock last night which showed on the hill above the top of Wallace Street, announced to Wellington that somebody’s house was burning. Crowds of motor-cars from the city rushed to the scene. Both the Brooklyn and tlie Constable Street brigades turned out, followed bv an engine from the Central Station,'where a call was received a few minutes after 10 o’clock. The house, which is on the corner of Finniniore Terrace and Pearse Street, Vogeltown, is on top of the spur which overlooks Wallace Street, and is a wooden building’ with an iron roof and containing six rooms. By the time tlie brigades arrived the flames had a strong hold and the high wind which was blowing made the fire-fighters’ task the harder. Great clouds of black smoke, fleeted with glistening, red, sparks and cinders, poured out and at times completely hid the house from those around. Then heavy rain came on. It sent the majority of the watchers scurrying homeward. By five minutes to eleven the Are was practically out. The occupants had moved in during the day, but no trace of them could be found during the fire. Further inquiries elicited the information that there were two children in the family, and their mother, Mrs. Lewry, and an elderly lady. The husband was at sea. About eleven o’clock a motor-ear drew up alongside the building, containing the elderly lady, who was very much distressed, her daughter, and one of the children, aged about six. A neighbour, Mr. Avery, took them to his house. Mrs. Helen Ryan, of i Lynn Road, the owner of the property, was also present. The occupiers had been at the house of a sister of Mrs. Lewry, previous to which, it is understood, they had attended the pictures.' The house, which was completely gutted, was insured, but neither the amount nor the office could be ascertained last night.