FIRE AT TAPUHI.

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1916, Page 2

FIRE AT TAPUHI.

RESIDENCE AND POST OFFICE.

TOTAL DEMOLITION.

HEAVY LOSS INVOLVED.

A,n outbreak of fire at Tapuhi (six miles from Hukerenui) at 8.30 last night resulted in the total destruction of Mr Thomas Hedley's residence and the contained post office, with all the contents in both cases. Mr Hedley, who is a widower, was away from home at the time, bit observed the blaze from a considerable distance, and was, in addition to its locality, able to identify it by the detonation of ammunition which was stored on the premises and belonged to the Home Defence forces. He made all haste to the scene, but nothing could be done to either prevent or minimise the loss. The five children, who had retired for the night, had but scanty notice in which to effect their escape, clad only in their sleeping attire. The exact origin of the fire is not yet known, but it is supposed that a son, ten years old, placed a lighted candle on the dressing-table in his room and that the wind blew the window curtains into contact with the flame. The boy, at any rate, warned the other children of the danger in time for them to get clear. The property destroyed also included several hum-red books comprising a public library. Mr Hedlcy will probably be a loser to the extent of £700, as the insurances altogether amount to only about £300.