DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 12

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

THREE BUILDINGS INVOLVED,

TWO BURNED TO GROUND.

PREMISES AT WELLINGTON.

[BY TELEGBAPH.—I?HESS ASSOCIATION.9

WELLINGTON, Thursday

What is probably the most serious fire that has ever taken place at Day's Bay occurred this afternoon, when two large structures on th<? main road were demolished with all their contents, and a third large house wad very badly burned on one side. Mr. H. Downs' tearooms and boarding hocsa, a total of 26 rooms, was destroyed, Miss Hawthorne s residence of 6 rooms was destroyed, and Mr. A. Knowles' residence was badly scorched.

The fire broke out at the rear of Mr. Downs' premises a little before 3 p.m. The kitchen was soon well alight and as there were no means of checking the flames at the time they very -quickly spread throughout the whole of the larga building. They were aided by a fresh breeze.

The occupants of the premises had no time to save anything, and barely had time to save themselves. In the course, of 10 minutes, or a quarter of an hour the whole of the building was a seeth-, infurnace of flames leapt 30ft. into thu air, and which were easily visible from the northern end of the city and the western heights.--. The volunteer fire brigade from East, bourne did what it could with a chemical engine, but the dimensions of the fira had gone past such a feeble resource. The flames then leapt on unchecked. OUTBREAK IN COUNTRY.

STORE AND HOUSE .DESTROYED*

[ B v TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.! PALMERSTON NORTH. Thursday.

The Whakarongo general store and post office, occupied by Mr. Archer, and the adjoining house, occupied by Mr.. Sheppard, a farmer, were destroyed by; fire yesterday afternoon. The occupants were all away on a half-holiday, and tha outbreak was discovered by a schoolboy at the rear of the shop.

Practically nothing was saved, in spite of the efforts of a bucket brigade.. The buildings were old and burned fiercely. The owner, Mr. Archer, is a heavy lcser, as none of his stock was insured. DWELLING AT PATE A.

NOTHING SAVED FROM FLAMES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday,

A house at Patea, occupied by Mr. T< Goodwin and family, and owned by Mr. T. Moss, of Hawera, was gutted by fire last night. Mr. Goodwin and family wera spending the evening out and at 10 p.m.. a passer-by noticed flames lighting the interior of the house. He immediately telephoned the brigade. The flames, fanned by a light breeze, made the task of saving the building hopeless, and the efforts -of the brigade were directed to saving outbuildings "and an adjacent house. ~ Mr. Goodwin's house was soon gutted. Mr. Goodwin's efleets were packed for transport to another district, where he had obtained employment. In addition to furniture and effects, the sum of £25 was lost, leaving the family possessed only'of the clothes in which they stood." The furniture was insured for. £l5O.