OUTBREAKS OF FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15141, 4 November 1912, Page 8

OUTBREAKS OF FIRE.

HOUSE BURNED AT REMUERA.

ANOTHER DWELLING DAMAGED.. GOOD WORK BY THE BRIGADE. A kirk completely destroyed a two-storeyed residence at Hemueru on Saturday night. The house, which is situated on the east side of Belmont Terrace, was owned by .Mrs. Amelia. Whitcombe and occupied by Mr. W. F. Morgan. The cause of the Are is at present a mystery. About eight o'clock on Saturday evening Mr. and Mrs. Morgan left the house empty. There were no fires burning in any of the grates, and all lights were turned out before leaving. Some 40 minutes later smoke was noticed by a carpenter named Ross, who lives at the back of the house, to be issuing from the windows. He effected au entrance into the burning house, but was unable to quench the flames, which had got a good hold. In his efforts to do so his means of escape were cut off, and he was badly burned, his subsequent removal to the 1 hospital being necessary. The alarm was | quickly given, and the Newmarket Volunteer Fire Brigade was summoned. Within 10 minutes of receiving the alarm the brigade, with commendable promptitude, under Captain Watte, had dragged their appliances up the hill to the scene of the fire. The house was | found to be well alight from floor to roof, i and it was quickly- seen that there was no chance of wiving the budding or any of its contents. Such a hold had tho flames got that it was obvious that the fire must have been burning some considerable time before being noticed- The heat from the burning I building was so intense that the firemen j had to wrap themselves in wet blankets before they could approach the conflagra- } tion. In the meantime, the crowd which had gathered was assisting in the removal of the furniture and personal effects from tho two adjoining houses. Both these were in imminent danger, being only a few feet away from the burning building. Aided by a good pressure of water, tho firemen confined their attention to the saving of these two houses, both being in equal danger owing to the absence of wind. ' The house immediately below the one destroyed suffered severe damage. It was occupied by Mr. Mudge, part being sub-let to Mrs. Courtney. One back room was practically destroyed, and tho walls were badly charred. Much damage, too, was done to the interior by the water. It was onjy owing to the splendid efforts of the brigade that the bouse was saved at all from total destruction. The residence above did not suffer so much damage though the walls were much scorched, and some windows were broken by the heat. By 9-30 o'clock the fire had practically burned itself out. Nothing remained of : the dwelling destroyed save charred posts and rafters. The roof, although momenj tarily expected to fall in, remained in its place. Everything in the house was totally destroyed. Tho value of the contents is set down as about £200, Mrs. Morgan losing various valuable jewels and about £40 in notes as well. The building was insured for £200 in the South British office, its value being £450. The damage done to , Mr. Mudge'.s residence is estimated at between £50 and £100, and he and his snb-tenant lose some £60 each as damage to the furniture. This, it is understood, is covered by insurance with tho South British Company.

TWO SHOPS GUTTED. TAILOR'S STOCK DESTROYED. [BY TEJ.KCRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Gore, Sunday' A fire occurred at 3.30 o'clock thi& morning, two shops in the main street, ono occupied by Joseph BaJJintinc, tailor, the other by Son. Lee, laundryman, being gutted. The Chinaman saved nearly everything, but Ballintine's slock was destroyed. 'Die buildings were owned by Messrs. Willis and Wallel. The insurances on Ballintine's stock totalled £100 with tho New Zealand Insurance Company's office. TheTO was a, policy on tbo building for £150, also with the New Zealand Company.