DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 10

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

OUTBREAK AT MANUREWA.

„ OLD LANDMARK BURNED.

VALUABLE CONTENTS LOST.

Fire destroyed a five-roomed residence and a large tearoom, known as the "Tea Kettle," a landmark on the Great South Road, at Manurewa, last evening. Practically none of the contents, which included furniture, valuable chinaware, rare hand-painted pictures and antique curios, was saved. The owner, Mr. W. Frost, and his wife wero absent from home during the evening and when the fire occurred they were returning from the city by bus. Mr. Frost estimates his total loss to be about £3OOO. The wall of an adjoining house, owned by Mr. A. Carter, was damaged, a 10ft. thick hedge saving the residence from destruction.

The fire was noticed by Mr. Carter when he returned to his home at 10.15 p.m. He immediately telephoned to the nearest brigade, that at Papatoetoe. The outbreak had a good hold when brigade arrived and the firemen could do nothing to arrest the progress of the flames.

Beforu the arrival of tho firemen a bucket brigade was formed by neighbours, who saved a few pieces of furniture from Mr. Frost's house. The fire brigade concentrated its efforts upon saving Mr. Carter's residence. There was no water supply and the tank in the fire engine had to be replenished with water from house tanks. The brigade had to do its best with a one-inch lead.

In spito of the handicap the firouien saved the adjoining house, several ■windows of which were broken by the heat, while one side was damaged. Mr. Carter and his family had taken the precaution to remove the furniture and contents from the rooms nearest the fire. The "Tea Kettle" was destroyed, only two tall brick chimneys remaining. The house, the furniture and the curios were separately insured with the Phoenix Insurance Company.