TWO BUNGALOWS DESTROYED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 140, 28 May 1928, Page 4

TWO BUNGALOWS DESTROYED

OCCUPANTS’ NARROW ESCAPE. BLAZE AT EDENDALE. (Per Press Association). Auckland, May 28. Two m6dern bungalows in Edendale, Auckland one owned by T. Crow ley and the other owned and occupied by R. W. Parker, were destroyed by fire early on Sunday morning. Carrying two young children, Crowley, and his wife, escaped in their night attire. They aroused Parker and his three children, also Mrs Parker, senior, who escaped with the Ally clothing they were able to seize. Both houses and'their contents were insured. MYSTERIOUS FIRES IN PICTON. (Per Press Association.! ...Blenheim, May 28. Another mysterious fire in the early hours of Sunday morning completely destroyed Jensen’s buildings. Picton, containing between 60 and 70 rooms in addition to shops, etc., on the ground floor. The buildings were erected 20 years ago and intended for hote] purposes, but the license was never granted. Th© structure was more or less a “white elephant” ever since.

The only portion occupied was two rooms on the ground floor, where C. E. Moffatt’s dental parlours was situated. The fire originated in a deserted upper storey and spread with extraordinary rapidity, the concrete downstairs apartments serving as funnels for the admission of a draught to the upper wooden portions. The fire spread to C. E. Townshend’s ten-roomed residence adjoining but a great fight by the 'brigade effected a save (with more or less minor damage). Jensen’s building was completely destroyed. Following destruction of the school last week, the fire is one of series of mysterious outbreaks in Picton and has caused some uneasiness amongst townsfolk. The only insurance on the building was £lOOO in the Roval. Moffatt had £760 in the same office. Townshend's house was insured for £1250 and the contents for £450 in the Sun office.