FIRE AT PONSONBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14927, 27 February 1912, Page 8

FIRE AT PONSONBY.

BOARDINGHOUSE BURNED.

SOME NARROW ESCAPES.

NO TIME TO SAVE ANYTHING,

i A fire, which resulted in the almost com- , ploto destruction of a largo two-storeyed , wooden house, at 9, Sentinel Road, Ponsonby, occurred last evening. The building, which was owned by Mrs. Thompson, of Northcoto, was situated a, few doors from Jervois' Road. It was occupied by • Mrs. J. O'Leary. as a boardinghouso, and contained 13 rooms. At the timo of tue outbreak, about 10 • o'clock, the inmates were asleep. The fire, which started on the upper floor, was first discovered by one of the hoarders, Mr. James McLelland, who, with Mr. Lord (another boarder), occupied ono of tho upstair rooms, Mr. McLelland was awakened by the sound of fire, which by this time had obtained a good hold of the building, and Mr. Lord and he, being unable to get down tho stairs, made their way down tho fire escape, Mr. MeLelland shouting "Fire" as he ran from his room. There were, fortunately, no other persons on the upper floor at tho time. Mrs. O'Leary's daughter, whoso room was on that floor, was attending a picture entertainment, and ono boarder was also out, whilst another (Mr. C. Lawson) is absent from Auckland on a holiday. Mr. and Mrs. O'Loary, whoso room was on the ground floor, were awakened by a crash as of broken glass just ae tho fire was getting a firm hold of the building. They ran'- out in their night attire, Mrs. O'Leary just having time to snatch up an overcoat as she went. Her nightdress was slightly burned, and both sho and her husband had no time to spare. Tho other occupants on the ground floor ateo got out safely, but all had to leave their belongings behind. The alarm was given from one of tho fire boxes in Jervois Road. The firo brigade turned out promptly from tho central and Ponsonby stations, and soon had tho water playing on the flames. The fire, however, burned rapidly, and the wholo of the upper floor was destroyed, whilst the lower floor was gutted. Two of tho rooms escaped destruction, but their contents suffered considerable damage from. water and smoke. Mrs. O'Leary had a policy of £250 on her furniture in the Commercial Union office, but she estimates j her loss at" considerably above that sum. Her belongings included a piano, valued at £70, and a considerable quantity of silver, including many prized wedding presents. Nothing was rescued from the building, with the exception of a parrot and a canaryj One of the boarders had a sum of money in Ins room, and he attempted to return to get it, but was unable to do so. Tho insurance on the building is unknown.