FIRE OUTBREAKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1929, Page 9

FIRE OUTBREAKS

PALMERSTON NORTH HOTEL.

(Per Press Association.)

„ PALMERSTON NORTH, Sept. 1. Early on Saturday morning the Post Office Hotel, Broadway, was badly damaged by an outbreak of fire, which is believed to have originated in an office on the ground floor, through the fusing of an electric wire. Only six boarders were in the house, three of whom made a narrow escape, down a rope of knotted sheets. The alarm was given just in time, as the house was full of smoke and the flames were spreading rapidly. The boarders pay a tribute to the good work of the licensee’s wife, who gave the alarm and got the occupants out of the house.

The Brigade succeedede in keeping the outbreak within bounds, and prevented the flames from spreading to neighbouring premises. The damage to the house is considerable, while three boarders lost personal effects. The licensee, Mr. J. Donne, was absent at the time, and the insurances will not be known until his return.

HORNBY HOUSE.

CHRISTCHURCH, August 31. A four-roomed house at Hornby owned by Mrs. S. B. Thomas, was destroyed by fire early this morning, while temporarily unoccupied' Neighbours say that they heard an explosion preceding tho fire. ANOTHER MYSTERY. CHRISTCHURCH, September 2. Fire broke out mysteriously at the stores of Jones Bros., motor cycle agents, Bedford Row, last evening, causing damage of several hundreds to the stock. No employee had been bn the premises for twenty-four hours. LATER. The insurance on Jones Bros., stock totalled £6OOO in Guardian, State and Phoenix offices. ASHBURTON HOUSE. ASHBURTON, September 2. The six-roomed residence of Mr R. B. Barnett, piano tuner, Saunders road, was destroyed by fire at midday yesterday. Only two or three small articles of furniture were saved. The family had left for the country sometime before the discovery. The insurance-on the house is about £6OO.