THE FIRE AT ROTOITI.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 175, 8 April 1896, Page 2

THE FIRE AT ROTOITI.

Further particulars in regard to th< j fire iit the Rotoiti Sawmill show that the fire had its origin in the engine-house an I was prohahly caused by some of tho oaf hers falling amongst the inflammable material and smouldering there unnoticed after the fire had "open drawn for llio night. There was no one in the \iciiiiiy of tho mill after sundown save tho malinger, Mr Morris, and ho had a look round the place before retiring to rest shortly after eight o'clock. The wood underneath the holler becoming ignited raised the steam and as tho fire spread and burned the supports it fell over partly mi its side. En this way one of the boiler rivets was sprung and the steam escaping through the orifice sounded the alarm which woke Mr Morris. Tho flames had then, however, gained such a, mastery that he could only remain supine and watch the devouring element do its work of destruction* The glare in the sky nttracted a number of natives, amongst whom was Rawene, tho fireman, from Ruato, but when they arrived tho pLico was a total ruin. Mr "W. Kelly, M.11.1i.. the proprietor, had been telegraphed for and arrived in Rotorna by Friday's train and proceeded to the locality on the following day. The building, ho sti tos, was insured in the Norwich Union offieo for £230 and he estimates Ins loss ai fully £'.")()() over and above I hat amount. Tin' engine which is a. horizontal one of about Uh.p. may, after a thorough overhaul, be again utilised but even this is problematical. It is not, however, the present owner's intention to rebuild. Mr Kelly is most unfortunate in the matter of tire' as this is the third occasion on which 1:< V lie has suffered loss in that manner in thi» district.