WEEK-END BLAZES

Evening Star, Issue 19198, 15 March 1926, Page 6

WEEK-END BLAZES

WAKARI HOUSE DESTROYED

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED CONCERNING LESSER FIRES

Fire took heavy toll locally over tlio week-end, burning to the ground an ancient house at Wakari, damaging bedding in a South Dunedin residence, and a washhouse and a stable in Macandrew road.

The house at Wakari, which was an eight-roomed wooden one near Ashburn Hall, was completely burned on Saturday night. ■ A dairy farmer named Pezet owned the residence. At approximately 7.30 p.m. Mr Pezet communicated with the Roslyn Brigade, but ho was informed that nothing could bo done, as the house was situated beyond tlie hill station’s district. Even had the Roslyn firemen attended tho < outbreak they could have done practically nothing to save the building, for there is no water supply in the vicinity of the house, and by the time the uphill journey could have been completed the lire would have bad a very strong hold. Tho flames spread quickly, and Mr Pezet lost £3O in notes and some silver, which money was kept in one of the rooms. The furniture was insured for £lB5 with the South British Insurance Company. The City Fire Brigade received a call at 9.45 p.m. on Saturday to a stable in Macandrew road. Mr Poison, of Craigleith street, North-cast Valley, is the owner of the stable, which was slightly damaged by some straw that had caught lire. While the firemen were quelling tho blaze a messenger from a house nearby adjoining the stable reported a fire in the washhouse at tho back of tho residence. The washhouse was damaged to the extent of £3, and about £lO worth of contents were destroyed. Mr John Rae is the occupier of the hr/use. Incendiarists are believed to have caused both outbreaks.

A quantity of bedding and a mattress in a house numbered 39 Broughton street became ignited yesterday afternoon and was damaged to the extent of about £6. Mr J. J. Welsh occupies the house. The cause of the fire is a mystery.