THE RAURIMU FIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 25, 29 December 1925, Page 8

THE RAURIMU FIRE

BLOWING UP A SHOP. WITH A MAN INSIDE. Some further interesting details of the disastrous fire which occurred recently in Raurimu have been received from a resident of the district. “The women of Raurimu tell you with pride that this was one of the occasions when they could be of so much help as the men,” says the writer. “As the fire was raging down one end of the street, the women gathered at the other and calmly removed goods from the threatened shops. Some stood, one foot on the counter and one on the shelves, passing things to those who placed them on the counter, while others carried them outside. In the earlier hours of the outbreak they were placed on the opposite side of the street, upon the grass, but sparks soon fell among them and they commenced to smoulder. Wfien the prison lorries and warders arrived from Waimarino camp, the rest of the goods were quickly motored out of danger—only to nave a number stolon when out of sight.” “It was decided to blow up Clarke’s empty shop to keep the fire from spreading to the post office, but through some unknown cause the gelignite did not explode, so the brick chimneys were pushed down instead. It was discovered afterwards that one man had been inside the building during the whole of the time when others were endeavouring to blast it.” A telephone message was sent to Mr Karam, whose shop was destroyed, and who owns several farms in Kaitieke. He was living 12 miles away, but broke all records in motoring to Raurimu. Four miles of the road is particularly sinuous, and these bends wore negotiated practically on one wheel. Tho Kaitieke postmaster, Mr Evans, was motored in soon after to asist in removing the contents of the Raurimu office. The destruction of the shops caused no inconvenience to people outside Raurimu. Rescued goods, were placed in sheds, garages, the hall and police station, and business was practically “as usual.” Previous orders came in by every train, and were soon placed in the impromptu shops. Most of the people are building again, or intend doing so soon. Unfortunately, from all reports, it seems that they are going to duplicate the corrugated iron and flimsy unpainted wood type of structure. z Great loads of buckled iron, twisted pipes, and all other_ rubbish lining tho streets is being carried away in motor lorries and dumped in convenient places away from the town. The most pathetic incident following the fire was the death of one of the best-known residents, Mr Timothy Connors. Mr Connors wes well oyer eighty, and was a familiar and, with his long white hair and beard, noticefigure. Although lie lost no property fie was greatly excited and upset, and he died the morning after the fire. Two women spent a strenuous hour the night after the fire trying to keep fowls from getting on their usual perches. In spite of their efforts, one or two insisted on clinging to their home and being roasted. This may have been a premature effort to become ready for Christmas.