DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19607, 8 April 1927, Page 10

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

RONGOTEA AGAIN SUFFERS. TWO MORE HOUSES LOST. OTHER BUILDINGS THREATENED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT, 1 PALMERSTON NORTH. Thursday. Two houses were destroyed by fire and several other buildings dangerously menI aced when the people of Rongotea township, near Palmerston North, were aroused last night to witness an even greater spectacle than that which took place in the early hours of the morning, when a dwelling and refreshment rooms were destroyed. The second fire broke out at about 11.15 p.m. in tjie kitchen of a five-roomed dwelling owned by Mr. W. Darragh, formerly of Rongotea, and occupied by Mr. C. Donovan. The flames were not discovered until they had gained a good hold. The occupants were awakened by one of tinir children and had to make a hasty uxit. Nothing was saved except a little clothing- . Fanned and directed by a strong westerly wind, the flames attacked an adjacent six-roomed wooden house owned and occupied by Mrs. A. Duker. This dwelling also was reduced to ashes, very little being saved. Great anxiety was felt for the safety of some of the buildings on the opposite side of the road, on which sparks from the fire were settling. The town clerk's residence and office, an unoccupied shop, and the Methodist Church, were all in danger of destruction. The two former buildings actually caught alight several times, and it was only through the efforts of a bucket brigade which was in readiness that they %vere saved. The house and furniture belonging to Mrs. Duker were covered by a small insurance. OUTBREAK AT WAIROA. / _____ * CINEMA THEATRE BURNED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WAIROA, Thursday. Everybody's Theatre, a large wooden building on the North Clyde side of the town, was destroyed by fire at 4 a.m. today. The theatre was used a3 a picture show and a dance hall by Mr. E. Mnnro, and was owned by the Maloney Estate. A card tournament was held last night; but everything appeared to be safe when the caretaker locked up shortly after midnight. The fire had a good hold and the building was doomed*when the brigade Nothing -was saved. Fortunately there was no wind, otherwise a large block of buildings -would hive been involved. The insurances on the building were £750 in the New Zealand Office, and on the cinema plant, seats, engines, dynamo, films, etc., £350, in the New Zealand Office, £9OO in the Guardian Office, and £9OO in the Statii Office. DWELLING AT BULLS. OCCUPANTS' HURRIED EXIT. ;• [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION-1 MARTON. Thursday. An outbreak of fire at 10.30 last night destroyed a dwelling at Bulls owned by Mr. G. Bending, of Auckland, and occupied by Mr. Albert Wilkins. The occupants had to make a hasty exit, saving nothing. The house and contents were covered by insurance. CHRISTCHUECH RESIDENT'S LOSS. HOUSE BURNS UNCHECKED., [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday. A five-roomed house in Mund&y's Road, Burwood, owned and occupied by Mr. J. McCreanor, -was destroyed by fire last night. A strong wind fanned the flames and no -water was available to stem the blaze, it being beyond the city boundary. The Sre spread to an adjoining haystack and a hedge in front of the residence was also burned. House, contents and outbuildings are a'total loss.