BLAZE AT PORT AHURIRI.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 26, 31 December 1930, Page 2

BLAZE AT PORT AHURIRI.

SHOP PREMISES DAMAGED. OCCUPANTS’ LUCKY ESCAPE. NAPIER, Dec. 31. A fire which, for a brief time, threatened a number of old wooden buildings in its vicinity, but which was, fortunately, quickly controlled, occurred at the two-storeyed premises occupied by Messrs T. B. Bax, second-hand dealer and storekeeper, and "VV. Fletcher, restaurant proprietor, on the corner of Waghorne and Stafford Streets, Port Ahuriri. The blaze, which occurred at about 11.30 o’clock at night, apparently had its origin in Mr Bax’s store, and, spreading rapidly, had soon reached the shop verandah, which also fronts the adjoining restaurant, and thence spr.ead to the living quarters over the shop portion. ,* Mr and Mrs Bax, when they became aware of the fire, found themselves in rather a precarious situation and, seeking the quickest means of escape, slid down a; rope suspended from a window facing Stafford Street. There are some stairs leading down to the back entrance; but the smoke was so dense that Mr and Mrs Bax had to resort to'the other means of escape. While sliding down the rope Mrs Bax sustained some painful burns on the hands and had later to bo attended by a doctor.