THE RACECOURSE FIRE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 174, 10 July 1911, Page 8

THE RACECOURSE FIRE.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. Masterton. July 10. One of the most destructive fires recorded in the district occurred at the Masterton Racing Club’s course at Opaki between 1 and 2 o'clock yesterday morning, ami resulted in marly the whole of the buildings being consumed by the flames. The outbreak was first observed by Mr. W. Compton, who. with his mate occupied a wliare on Messrs. J. and A. J. Whelch's property. Willow Park. The glare of the fire shone through the windows in the bedroom and woke Mr. Compt m up. : and on looking outside lie and his mate discovered the tofalisafor house in flames. The conflagration had Liken such hold that they were unable to do anything. The flames quickly spread, and in a very short space of time the totalisator house, stewards' stand, inside grandstand, booth. stewards’ rooms, tea kiosk, press room, secretary’s office, weighing-in room, jockeys’ room, and a row of loose boxes were reduced to ashes. The only buildings left standing

are the people’s stand and the judges' box. The buildings were valued at about £4OOO, and were only covered by £llOO insurance, the risks being held by the North British Office. The officials of the club, the local agent of the insurance company, and the police visited the course yesterday morning, and made an inspection of the damage done. Their investigation [jointcd to the fire having been caused by an incendiary. as there was evidence that the fire had been set going in the people's stand, burning a hole through the floor and charring the scantling and lining. i This fire was fortunately discov- | ered by Mr. A. Watson, who went ) to the course early in the morning | to work his racehorse. Mr. Wat-1 son found the door of the stand; open. It had apparently been ; broken open with a. heavy piece of | wood. He saw smoke issuing from j the building, and he immediately) put the fire out. On making an in- i spection he discovered one of thewindows had been opened, thus < causing a draught, which would ' .eventually fan the. flames. i The matter has been placed in i the hands of the police, and it isprobable that an inquest will be) held for the purpose of determining) how the fire originated.