ESCAPE FROM FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 12

ESCAPE FROM FIRE

FAMILY AT PUKEKOHE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CAUSED [from our own correspondent] PUKEKOHE, Friday Fire gutted the home of Mr. R. Wearing, an old landmark on the Pukekohe Hill, shortly before midnight to-night, Mr. and Mrs. Wearing and their three children having to make a hurried escape. Mrs. Wearing was awakened about 11.30 by a noise which she thought was the banging of the radio aerial and awakened her husband, who attempted to switch on the electric light. He found it had fused, and then discovered that the back of the house was in flames. Mrs. Wearing took one of the children, who were sleeping in the next room, and Mr. Wearing another, but when he returned for the third the room was full of smoke and he had to grope his way to the bed to rescue the child.

The Pukekohe fire brigade was sumby telephone, as this was still working, and after some time had the fire under control.

The house was of eight rooms, tho kitchen and dining room at the back, as well as a detached wash-house, being destroyed, while the fire also penetrated into the front portion. Passers-by who arrived just as Mr. Wearing was giving the alarm were able to assist him to remove a few articles of furniture. The house was insured, but there was no cover on the furniture. t