CHILDREN SAVED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23071, 23 June 1938, Page 12

CHILDREN SAVED

LARGE HOUSE DESTROYED explosion Wakes owner early morning outbreak [bx TELEGRAPH —OWN- correspondent] TE ■fc.ROHA, Wednesday A large wooden house owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. G. Hancock, of Ruakaka, was destroyed by fire ear y yesterday morning. The fire apparently started* in the kitchen, and the house burned fiercely. It was over a mile outside the borough boundary, so no help could be obtained from the local fire brigade. Mr. Hancock was awakened; about 3.40 a.m. by the sound of a muffled explosion. He wenj; into the kitchen and found that the scullery wall w® B ablaze. He roused ftis wifo and they carried their three children to safety. The youngest child had a narrow escape from being suffocated, his room, which was close to che kitchen, being filled with smoke before his, father reached him.

Mr. and Mrs. Hancock saved only a few personal effects. The house was insured for £650 with the New Zealand Insurance Company (£450) and the State Fire Office (£200). The furniture was insured for £250 with the New Zealand Insurance Company. ;>

OUTBREAK NEAR WHAKATA2TS

FAMILY LOSES EVERYTHING [by telegbaph—own corbespondent] WHAKATANE, Wednesday A fiye-roomed farmhouse owned and occupied by Mr. H. Matchett, of Awakeri, was destroyed with its contents by a fire which broke out yesterday evening during the absence of th 9 occupants. When Mr. Matchett returned from Edgecumbo at 9 o'clock he found tho house well ablaze tfwn flames breaking out of the roof. Nothing could be saved from tho house and the family were left wra* only the clothes they were wearing, which, in the case of the daughters, who had been at a dance, were evening dresses. , The house and furniture were ea insured for £2OO with the State Fire Office.