FIRE AT MOUNT EDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9025, 11 April 1888, Page 5

FIRE AT MOUNT EDEN.

FOUR HOUSES DESTROYED.

About half-past twelve o'clock this morn ing a fire broke out in a four-roomed cottage, owned and occupied by Mr. E. Linski, at The Avenue, off Wynyard Road, Mount Eden, and, before the progress of the flames were stayed, four cottages were destroyed. The outbreak was caused by the bursting of a kerosene lamp, which had been left lighted in the kitchen of Linski's cottage. Mrs. Linski slept in that room with a sick child, her husband and the other three children occupying the from, rooms ; and shortly after twelve o'clock she was awakened by the crying of the child, when she discovered that the lamp had burst, and that the walls of tho kitchen were already in a blaze. The fire spread rapidly, and the family had only time to escape from the burning dwelling, being unable to save any of their furniture or effects, except two boxes of clothing. The only water supply was that to be obtained from tanks, and the efforts of the neighbours were therefore quite ineffectual in arresting the spread of the flames, which quickly communicated to Mr. Roe's house, adjoining on the east side. As he was not aroused until his cottage had caught fire, Mr. Roe was unable to save but a few articles of furniture, and the work-shop at the rear of the dwelling, with its contents, was also destroyed. The fire extended on the western side to an unoccupied cottage, the property of Mr. Kitt, of Wynyard Road, and in a short time reduced it to ashes. From this the flames spread to another untenanted house, owned by Mr. W. Thome, solicitor, which was consumed, the progress of the fire being here stayed by a vacant allotment, which prevented the de struction of a block of houses on Wynyard

Road. The dwellings burnt were of four rooms each, and were built about eight feet apart. Mr. Linski's house was insured for £150, in the Liverpool, London, and Globe office, and his furniture was covered by a policy of £100 in the same company. Mr. Kitt held a risk on his cottage of £150 in the Royal. The insurances on Messrs. Roe and Thome's property we have not been able to ascertain, though the former gentleman is of opinion that the amount of tho policy upon his house is £120. A detachment of the Salvage Corps, under Captain Field, was present, whilst Sergeant Lyons commanded a force of polio 3, who also assembled at the scene of the fire.