VALUABLE HOMESTEAD GUTTED

Evening Star, Issue 20255, 16 August 1929, Page 8

VALUABLE HOMESTEAD GUTTED

AID GOiES FROM THE AtR [Pek United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 15. The twelve-roomed, two-storied homestead, of Mr Harold Bull, of Puketutu Island, Manukau Harbour, was totally destroyed by fire this afternoon, the loss being estimated at about £5,000. Mr and Mrs Bull were the only ones on the island when the fire broke out. They were in the garden at the time, but managed to get a small quantity of furniture out of the house. However, this was not placed far enough aw;\y, and as the fire progressed this furniture, too, was ruined. - Just when the fire was at its height Mr Douglas Mill and a companion, hying fn a Moth aeroplane, sighted the outbreak and made a difficult landing on a paddock near the homestead. They lent valuable aid in helping Mr Bull to save the outbuildings and garage, in which there was a motor car. The homestead and furniture were insured in the South British Insurance Company, but Mr Bull’s loss is severe. After the fire the aeroplane took off successfully in a short space.