FIRE AT LANGLEY DALE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVII, Issue 13, 16 January 1891, Page 2

FIRE AT LANG LEY DALE.

WOOL SHED DESTBOYED. News was brought to town this raorniug by Mr John McKenzie of the destruction by fire last night of Mr Wni, Adams woolshed at Langley Dale. From Mr McKenzie we learn that he has been working there for some five weeks, and during shearing time, but his dog having received some injury he left on Saturday last and went to Havelock, returning to Langley Dale at about 8.45 last night. He went to his room, which i 3 next the harness room m the stables, and then round the woolshed to the kitchen to see if any of the servants were about, but they were evidently all m bed. Seeing a light m the sitting room he knocked at the door, and Mr Adams came out. Mr McKenzie explained that he had only called to report that he had returned, bo that if Mr Adams saw alight m his bedroom window be would know it was his, and not imagine there was any fire about. He went inside and remaiued talking some time, after which Mr Adams walked part of the way vrith him towards the stables, which are situated about 30 yards on the other side of the woolshed. Mr McKenzie turned m ftt about a quarter past nine, and dicf not awake till about one o'clock, whsn the glare of a light irj. his room roused him. On seeing that it was the woolshed on fire he rushed out and gave the alarm. The whole BDILDING WAS IN PLAJJBB, and from the first any attempt at saving it, or the wool stored inside was seen to be useless. Fortunately the night was quite calm, for had there been any wind either the house or the stables must have gone, and probably no time would have been given the occupants to save more than their live 3. A belt of fur trees round the house helped to save it, and it was well that they were wet, or the dry &tuff about them would have made matters worse. As it was water had to be played on to the stables, and buckets used on the house to save them from damage, but they were this morning entirely uninjured. Mr Adams had forty bales of wool store! m the shed, which represents mo3t of the shearing, as he had only managed to get three wagon loads into town. Another load was ready, and fortunately was stored m another shed. It is Mr Adams' habijfc to place his buggies and other vehicles and plant m the woolshed directly after shearing, but this season the rain had somewhat delayed him, and were therefore saved. Mr Adams himself was the last man m the building, and the origin of the fire is quite a mystery, but there is no reason to suspect incendarism. The v/00l was insured for between £SQO and £600 m the National ' Office, and the shed we believe is also insured m a Nelson office.