FIRE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 149, 13 June 1930, Page 4

FIRE

HASTINGS COUBT HOUSE. LITTLE DAMAGE DONE. An outbreak of fire occurred at 3.45 p.m. yesterday in the Hastings Courthouse. It was subdued before any serious damage was done. The cause of the fire wan traced to a chip-heater in the central office. The asbestos packing around the heat-ing-pipe that led from the fire to the wall had been become loosened at the joint and the chimney contacted with the wall packing. The chip-heater was in use yesterday, and the packing had smouldered all day, and in the afternoon it burst into flame. The fire rapidly spread across the ceiling of the central office and the Brigadesmen were only able to cope with it by tearing up the galvanised iron roofing and introducing a lead of hose. The staff of the courthouse managed to remove all the papers and books and no damage was done that cannot easily be repaired. The furniture and carpet were damaged more by water than by fire and the ceiling of the court-room was badly scorched. BLAZE AT MARAEKAKAHO. RESIDENCE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. Fire on Wednesday night completely destroyed the residence of Mr Neil Bell, of Maraekakaho. Mr Bell had been absent some time through sickness and his brother Mr Alan Bell bad been looking after the house, leaving the homestead about half a mile away to pay an occasional visit to see that things were all right. It was not until Thursday morning that he discovered that the house had been demolished by fire. The building was insured for £BOO and its contents for £7OO, both with the N.Z. Insurance.