FIRES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12536, 25 June 1901, Page 9

FIRES.

[Per Press Association.] NAPIER, June 24. Mr G. P. Donnelly’s fine ten-roomed home ait Waimar-ama was burnt to the -ground on Sunday, bub no particulars are to hand ns to how the fire originated. The building was insured in the Commercial Union for £525, and tho same office Feld an insurance over the furniture, which was also destroyed. A SCHOOL DESTROYED. WELLINGTON, June 24. The Terrace School, one of .the largest schools in the city, was burned to the ground at seven o’clock this morning. It wais ip the occupation of the Defence Department. Troops had not been in it since Friday, but the Department was retaining possession until to-morrow to accommodate for tho night men returning from the south. The -only insurances were'£so on the school piano and £SO on the library, both in the South British Office. The building stood on a high level, and though the Fire Brigade arrived in good time, it was hampered by lack of water. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June 24. Apropos of the burning of the Terrace School to-day, it appears that through the carelessness of Volunteers all the elements of a conflagration were found to be present in an important public building -on Saturday. The building in question was lent to the military authorities on condition that no smoking was allowed inside, and that no naked lights were to be used. Ib has since transpired that not only did men and officers smoke amongst the straw, but sentries lit pipes and cigarettes and there was abundant evidence . that loose candles had been employed to give light to the -occupants of the building. • I 1 ’'uether, an examination disclosed, quantities of matches and blank cartridges lying amongst the straw bedding on the floor.