A SERIOUS FIRE. AT NEW BRIGHTON. "BLANK DISMAY AND HELPLESS DESPAIR."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LX, Issue LX, 1 November 1910, Page 4

A SERIOUS FIRE. AT NEW BRIGHTON. "BLANK DISMAY AND HELPLESS DESPAIR."

BY TELEGBAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION. . CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 31. A serious fire started in the lupins near the terminus of the New Brighton tram line this morning, and, fanned by a nor'-west gale, swept through the plantations towards the borough of New Brighton, destroying two cottages on the way. A report came in at one o'clock that the fire was spreading with amazing rapidity. Mr Allan Hopkins' big dwelling-house had, a narrow escape, the fire destroying a fernery attached, and small outbuildings. The position in the northern extension of New Brighton is serious. The Christchurch Fire Brigade has now sent down a steato engine to the seaside, and will station it at t*he river, but if the fire reaches the more closely settled area the fire-fighting appliances will prove quite inadequate, as the fire front extends over a wide area. So far, it .has swept over the sandhills covered with lupins, and with an occasional plantation of pinus insignis, but fortunately there are few dwellings in this part. (The sandhills between Christchurch and New Brighton were planted will lupins to hold the sand.) HOUSES AND PLANTATIONS DESTROYED. ROADS LITTERED WITH FURNITURE. New Brighton residents took- the alarm early. A number of residents whose houses were near the Domain started to get their homes cleared of furniture, and soon the roads and footpaths in the vicinity were littered with boxes, sofas, pianos and other articles of household furniture. Some poor women, alone in their houses, simply came to their gates and stared at the smote and flame wit l i blank dismay and helpless despair. The fire seemed to concentrate its efforts on Cowhill road, where there were a number of small houses. This Cowhill road is on the tramline, which is just being excavated for construction. On- the road there were some pathetic scenes. Women leading little children were fleeing from the flames which threatened to stifle them. Then the houses were emptied, the" little household goods being spread over the road. Above all were the varicolored pall of smoke and the dull roar of the fire. The houses in most danger were those occupied by Mrs Faulkner, Mrs Torry and Mrs Winkler. On the other side of the line was Mr Duff's house, which was burned down". Mrs Robertson had to leave her home, which is in the same locality. Mrs Fred Needham, with several young children, also said farewell to her home. At 4 p,m. a reporter made a tour through' the Domain and North New Brighton when the fire was under control and there was little further danger of it spreading. A tour of the area between Cowhill road and the Jubilee avenue showed that the destruction of and damage to property was considerable. Ray Blank's whare narrowly escaped destruction. The fir.c got in through a closed window and damaged the contents considerably. Behind the 36 places and adjoining the boundary of the plantation originally JlooS. Mr H. C. Duff's two whares, which were completely destroyed. One whare was insured for £50 in the Atlas Office. The furniture, valued at £150, was also' insured in the same office. The plantation has been practically destroyed, the fire having swept through it at a terrific rate, as was evidenced by the fact that a rabbit roasted brown was found on the ground. On the northern boundary of the plantation, and fronting Jubilee avenue, a number of camr>s were destroyed. Mr J. J. Cornwall's whare was destroyed, the value of which is estimated at between £50 and £75. It was not insured. The whare of Mr Herbert Griffen, adjoining, was also destroyed. Tt is valued at £100. Mrs Clifford's whare of four or five rooms, valued at £150, and Mr C S. Brookes' hut, which, with its contents, is valued at £25, were also totally destroyed. With the exception of Messrs Duffs' and Brookes' cases, the estimated value given is that of the buildings only. No estimate was obtainable of the value of the contents destroyed. Probably the damage done in the area mentioned, as far as was ascertainable, totals close upon £500. Further north, Mr Allan Hopkins estimates his loss at £200, and Mr Marriott at £50.