A HURRIED EXIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21708, 25 January 1934, Page 12

A HURRIED EXIT

FARM HOUSE DESTROYED ESCAPE OF OCCUPANTS Sparks from a cooking range which ignited clothes on a rack are believed to have been responsible for a fire that destroyed the home of Mr. T. \V. Willett, a dairy farmer, at Motutara, near Waimauku, late on Tuesday night. The furniture and other contents were destroyed, and Mr. Willett and his daughter Joan, whose ninth birthday fell yesterday, made a hurried escape. It is thought that some clothes left to dry above the kitchen range caught alight, and the flames quickly gained a strong hold. When Mr. Willett was wakened by the smell of smoke about 11 o'clock, he dressed his daughter in an old pair of dungarees, and carried her well away from the house.

There was nobody else in the house at the time. Mrs. Willett is in a private hospital in Auckland. A neighbouring farmer, Mr. G. Coster, noticed the fire from his home about a mile away, and communicated with Mr. and Mrs. J. G. .Radford, who went to Mr. Willett's home in their motor-car. On arrival Mrs. Radford took charge of the child, who was none the worse for her experience.

Although the house was totally destroyed within three-quarters of an hour, successful efforts to save the wash-house were made by Mr. Willett and some of the neighbours. In doing so, however, Mr. Willett had both arms slightly burned. The only property saved from the house was two suits of clothes which Mr. Willett snatched up as ho left the burning building.

The house was insured with-the Atlas Assurance Company for £440, and the contents for £l5O in the South British office.

CONGREGATION FIGHTS FLAMES HOUSE NEXT TO A CHURCH [}tY TKLKORAPH —OWN CORRKSPONDKNT] KOHUKOHU,- Wednesday A five-roomed dwelling situated at Te Karae, a few miles north of Kohukohu, with its contents has been destroyed by fire. The building was owned by Mr. Ihutai. At the time of the fire the building was occupied by three families. The building was' erected close to the Roman Catholic Church and while mass was being celebrated the members of the congregation noticed black smoke brushing the church windows. An investigation discovered the burning building. The service was interrupted, for all made strenuous efforts to save the building and contents, but without avail.

DWELLING BURNED OUTBREAK AT PAEROA [llV TKLKOHAPII—OWN CORRESPONDENT] PAEROA. Wednesday A four-roomed dwelling situated outside the Paeroa Borough area, owned and occupied by Mr. Nui Williams, a launch-driver employed by the Public Works Department, was totally destroyed by fire about eleven o'clock last night. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams were away from home when the firo occurred, a son, aged 15, being the only one in the house.

No water supply was available, and although the Paeroa Firo Brigade was quickly on the scene it could save nothing. There was no insurance on the building or contents.