HOMESTEAD BURNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21250, 2 August 1932, Page 10

HOMESTEAD BURNED

TWO NARROW ESCAPES PROMPT RESCUE MADE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] BLENHEIM, Monday Tho Blythfield homestead, one of the oldest residences in Marlborough, was totally destroyed by fire at midnight on Saturday. The wooden two-storey structure of 20 rooms was owned and occupied by Messrs. Horgan Brothers. The origin of the outbreak is unknown. Two men who were upstairs narrowly escaped. One, Mr. C. Horgan, was overcome by smoke, and could not reach a ladder. His nephew, Mr. Vincent Horgan, wrapped a cloth about his head, mounted the ladder, and rescued his uncle only just in time. The house was insured for £IOOO, and tho contents for £3OO, both in the Commercial Union Office.

GISBORNE PREMISES GUTTED HOTEL AND OUTFITTER'S SHOP [from our own correspondent] GISBORNE, Monday Fire gutted the premises of Mr. W. R. j Clarkson, men's outfitter, and tlio Coro- ! nation Hotel. The brigade made a splendid savo. Tho hotel property is insured for £I7OO. PREMISES AT WHAKATANE. GOOD SAVE BY BRIGADE [from our own correspondent] WHAKATANE. Monday A fire broke out at about 9.30 on Saturday evening in the drapery store owned by Mr. L. Wylie, tho Strand, Whakatane. The building, which is portion of a large block owned by Mr. A. J. Canning, is in the centre of the main street, and tho fire was first noticed by an employee of Mr. Canning, who saw smoko rising from the back of tho premises and gave the alarm. At tho time no ono was in attendance at the shop and all the lights were out. -Mr. Wylie was confined to his bed owing to illness. Prior to the arrival of the brigado attempts woro inndo by those near by to force an entrance through the back of the shop, but owing to the strength of tho doors no entrance was possible. Owing to tho efficiency of tho brigado undor Superintendent Ward, and the fact that an iron dividing door shut off the back premises from the front, the damage was confined to tho showroom and two back -rooms, which suffered severely. • Tho building is insured with tlio State Office and tho stock and contents with tho Insurance Office of Australia. This is tho third fire which has occurred in this block during tho past two years. FIVE-ROOMED COTTAGE DESTRUCTION AT KAMO [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI. Monday A five-roomed cottage on tho Kamo Springs Fiat, owned by Mr. George Thomas and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ivor, was destroyed by fire at about 2.30 yesterday morning. The fire was noticed by passing motorists, but had too strong a hold for anything to bo done. Mrs. Ivor is a patient in hospital and Mr. Ivor and his small child spent tho night at a friend's residence, leaving home shortly after tea.