FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13702, 19 March 1908, Page 5

FIRES.

HOUSE DESTROYED AT ASHBURTON.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Ashburton, Wednesday. Shortly after one o'clock this morning a two-storeyed house, owned by the Hampstead Town Board, and occupied by the Misses Fawcett, was, with its contents, totally destroyed by fire. The outbreak was due to the flame of a large lamp, carried by one of the occupants, catching some rafting in the hall. The occupants, who had only just time to leave the premises, were unable to save any furniture or personal effects. The brigade was quickly in attendance, but owing to a defective water supply was unable to render much assistance. The building was insured in the North British Company for £250, and the furniture in the London, Liverpool, and Globe office for £150. - OUTBREAK AT WAIHI. [by TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Wednesday. Shortly after nine o'clock last night an eight-roomed dwelling in Dobson-street, Waihi East, owned by Mrs. G. Neilson, and occupied by. Mrs. A. H. Marsh as a private boardinghouse, was completely destroyed by fire. The boarders were all away at the time, as the proprietors intended , moving to another house to-day, and as Mr. Marsh was on afternoon shift at the mine the only persons on the premises when the outbreak occurred were Mrs. Marsh and her children. They retired to rest about 8.30 p.m., and Mrs. Marsh, hearing a, noise as of falling crockery about half-an-hour later, opened the bedroom door to find the diningroom ablaze. She and the children only succeeded in making their escape in'their night attire, and,nothing of value in the shape of furniture was saved. On the alarm being given the fire brigade made a prompt response, but as they had a, considerable distance to cover dragging the hose reel with them, and the house was already a mass of flames owing to the lateness of the alarm, the building was practically demolished before they reached the scene of the outbreak. In view of the scattered nature of the township and the topography of the country, it is high time that the question of providing the brigade with a horse was taken into consideration by the authorities. Better appliances in the shape of alarms might also with advantage be provided. The Louse, which was valued at about £500, was covered by insurance in the Yorkshire office for £300, and the furniture and effects, belonging to Mrs. Marsh, in the Northern office for £150. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. FIRE AT NORTH-EAST VALLEY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dune-din, Wednesday. An eight-roomed dwellinghouse at Northeast Valley, occupied by Mr. And is Wickland, was destroyed by tire yesterday morning. The parents were absent, and the house was in charge of three daughters. The building was insured for £200, and the furniture for £100, in the London and Lancashire office.