FARMHOUSE DESTROYED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19289, 30 March 1926, Page 12

FARMHOUSE DESTROYED.

OCCUPANTS' NARROW ESCAPE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Monday, Fire, supposed to be due to the fusing of an electric wire, destroyed a farmhouse owned and occupied by Mr. J. Gumming, at Waitakaruru, at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. The outbreak had a strong hold before it was discovered, and the flames swept into the bedroom on the door being opened. Mr. and Mrs. Cumming escaped through a window a few seconds before the ceiling 'fell where they had been sleeping. Nothing could be done to save the contents, and everything was destroyed. The insurances are not available.

DESTRUCTION AT KAITAIA, THREE RESIDENTIAL SHOPS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] KAITAIA, Monday. O'Connor's Buildings, consisting of three shops, with residences, were totally destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The outbreak was first noticed by Mr. Rae about 1.30 a.m., In Mr. T. Salvair's store. He promptly gave the alarm, but the fire spread rapidly to the shops of Mr. Smeeth, watchmaker, and Mr. McKeown, butcher. Nothing was saved. Mr. Salvair had an insurance of £690 on his stock and furniture. He estimates his loss at £6OO above the insurance. Mr. Smeeth had only commenced business two days before, Mr. McKeown was not insured. HOTEL STOREROOM BURNED. CONSIDERABLE STOCK LOST. [bx telegraph.—press association.] MARTON, Monday. Fire at 2 o'clock yesterday morning destroyed the storeroom of the Club Hotel, also stock of an estimated value of over £7OO. |> The cause of the fire is unknown. The store and contents were insured in the Atlas Office. SPEED-BOAT BURNED. THE OUTBREAK AT ONEHTJNGa. Inquiries show, that the boatshed which was practically destroyed by fire last Thursday evening was owned by Mr. Joseph E. Campbell. The launch which was housed in it at the time was the speed-boat Cupid, owned by Mr. Leslie H. J. Finley. It was valued at £l5O and was apparently damaged beyond repair. It was not covered by insurance.