SETTLERS’ HOME DESTROYED

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 March 1928, Page 5

SETTLERS’ HOME DESTROYED

\ DOUBLE OUTBREAK OF EIRE. : A five-roomed house on the Upper Kahui Road, owned and occupied by Michael Fleming, junr., was completely destroyed by fire, together with a considerable quantity' of the contents, about 3 o’clock on Thursday afternoon. It appears- that Mrs. Fleming had left the house about noon to visit her mother-in-law opposite, and on returning about- an hour and a half later with Mrs. Fleming, isenr., noticed flames and smoke issuing from under a front window. Mr. Fleming, who was working in the milk shed, together with neighbours hastily summoned by’ telephone, were quickly on the scene, and' after removing the hulk of the furniture extinguished' the flames with water from the tank. As the fire appeared to he completely out, they adjourned to Mrs. Fleming’s, -senr., for afternoon tea, but a little later smoke was seen issuing from the roof, and- this time- it proved impossible to coiie with the flames, which comnletely destroyed the house, but the helpers were able to salvage more of the contents, and it is estimated that less than £IOO worth of furniture was destroyed, though the pianola and some of the furniture saved sustained slight damage. ..The house was insured for £SOO and the furniture for £4OO.