ESCAPE IN FLAMES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 11

ESCAPE IN FLAMES

FAMILY'S EXPERIENCE

UPPER HUTT HOUSE DESTROYED,

Pierce flames blew towards»hini.and singed his hair when Mr. 'John A. W. Gow, of Eoyal Street, Upper Hutt, railway..- signalman, opened .Jus kitchea door at 3 o'clock this morning to investigate crackling noises, which, at first lie had attributed to the very high, wind roaring round the fa-roomed house. A few seconds later the iire was roaring through the passages and the ceiling, iiu'd Mr. and Mrs. Gow and their iivc children were scrambling out of the doors and the windows in a panic. The house, furniture, and a con-sirl; erablo sum of money were destroyed, the Upper IJutt brigade boing powerless .to check the flames before the- furiou* wind. . . • : • Crackling noise;;, awakened .Mr. Gow, but he' thought they wore caused by the wind until they b'ecamo: alarming and some objects in,the kitchen.fell to the- iloor. The opening of the door allowed tho flames to burst and caused a sudden draught. The occupants scarcely could remember what -happened or how they escaped from tho -house. ■ RESULT OF MISUNDEBSTANDQHJ. A regrettable misunderstanding-added to the shock received by itf.s. Gqtv, who is in a state of hystcriaV 'One son. was dispatched to summon 'the brigade, and unknown to the'other1 members of the family, the youngest girl accompanied him. . Mrs. Gow, .becoming frantic, with other members of the family, attempted., to re-enter tho house to ilnd the missing child. ■ One, girl was burned aboi'. the neck, and others were: singed • during, these activities. Finally Mr. Gow -had to prevent Mrs. Gow. from entering what "was now an intense .furnace. A'hedge on tho windward side close-to the house prevented entry, from that side, and oa tho other side the, flames were blowing towards tho searchers.. Tho. cause of the fire is..doubtful, but as a little fire supposedly was in the kitchen range it is surmised-that a gust, of wind blew, down the chimney ;.nd scattered. i)ome of the. contents of the firo box on the kitchen floor. .'. ■ The last member of the household retired.last night at 11 o'clock. Insurance covers the building-, which, was ovrno? by Mr. Gow, and the furniture and effects. A policy for £600 is in the South British Office on. the house -and furniture., and effects -were covered by the Sun office for £200.

In borrowed clothes Mr. Gow attended at tho Upper Hutt Railway Station this morning to commence his duties. Mrs. Gow was prostrate this morning. but is recovering from what is nothing moro serious than shock, singeing, atqfd mental stress. Neighbours have acted as hosts, of the-distressed family.