HURRIED ESCAPES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23262, 3 February 1939, Page 10

HURRIED ESCAPES

EXPERIENCES RELATED CANARIES LOST IN FLAMES HELP FOR THE HOMELESS [by telegraph OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday The concrete Marine Engineers' Institute building at the corner of Aitken and Mulgrave Streets was badly damaged oil its western side by this morning's fire and premises inside suffered considerably from smoke and water. Fire broke out on the roof, which was composed of bitumen compound, which burned fiercely. The back staircase became ignitecj, but the brigade effected a good save. ; Miss E. Richardson, a lover of birds, left 14 canaries in the caro of her ! sister when she went for a holiday in Christchurch. Several of the birds were kept in cages on a balcony on the sido ol' the house nearest the fire. The back portion of the house was not protected by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants' building, and when the balcony caught alight tlio birds were burned: to death in their cages. It was fortunate far the occupants of tlio house that, although windows were broken and paintwork blistered, the . fire did not gain a hold in the interior of the dwelling. Had it done so nothing could have saved the adjoining premises. A light sleeper, Miss L. K. Richardson said that she had been kept awake by a noise that resembled water dripping. Remembering that she had iorgotten to leave out her milk bottles, she rose to repair the omission and when she looked out of a window a moment later noticed flames leading from the Social Security Building. Still clad in pyjamas under a coat and trousers, Mr. J. M. McMurray, who, with his wife and baby, occupied a rear ground-floor flat in jSo. 18 Aitken Street, was salvaging remnants of his household possessions when he was interviewed this afternoon. Mr. McMurray said that he was awakened by his wife, who siaid that she was afraid of the "lightning." He had just advised her to put her head under the blankets when an ember landed in the baby's cot and convinced him that it was something more serious than lightning. Everyone in the house was quickly aroused, but in the street they were met by a wall of flame. They dashed down "an alleyway, over a' oft. fence and escaped. Residents in the locality were unanimous in their praise for the action of the licensee of the Metropolitan Hotel, in Molesworth Street, who offered accommodation to those rendered homeless by the fire. Mr. P. Ryan, a brother of the licensee, went from house to house and informed the occupants that shelter was available for them at the hotel. His sister, Mrs. C. McKenna, did not go to bed at all. Accommodation was provided for some, and others who arrived with bundles of clothing under their arms were given refreshments and were able .to dress and rest at the hotel. JUDGE'S CLOSE CALL SIR JOHN REED'S LOSS EFFORTS WITH GARDEN HOSE FORCED BACK BY HEAT [by TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Thursday Relating the exciting incidents prior to the destruction of his residence, Sir John! Reed said he awoke and rushed to tliie front of the house. Suddenly the windows cracked and flames leapt into the room. With the assistance of Mr. H- Mears, who was in the house, he tried to fight the Maze with a garden hose, but the smoke became so thick and tlio heat so iiatense that it was dangerous to remain. Snatching up his coat, his watch and his purse, Sir John escaped with Mr. Meairs through the back, where Lady Reed, in the meantime, had obtained assistance to break down the back fence and get into Wingfield Street. Some of Sir John's furniture and books were salvaged from the bouse to-d.iy. The house and its contents were insured. BABY RUSHED TO SAFETY INVALID WOMAN'S ORDEAL i CARRIED OUT TO STREET [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday Blazing portions of the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. Needham, at 24 Wiitgfield Street, had twice to be chopped away in the course of the fire and an outbreak in the yard had to bo subdued with wet sacks. In the house at the time were Mr. and Mrs. Needham, senior, their two sonis and their wives Mr. F. G. Bolton and Mrs. Needham's grandchild, aged 16 months. The first thought of the mother was for the baby, which was hurriedly removed to a place of safety. Mrs. Needham, sen., who is a semiinvalid, had to be carried from the house, as one of her legs was in plaster of pnris. With a coat over her shoulders she huddled in the doorway of a near by chemist's siiop from a.m. to 5 a.m., before it was considered safe to return to the house. TEMPORARY BUILDING IMMEDIATE ERECTION COMPLETION BY APRIL 1 [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday "Nothing is going to stand in the way of the social security organisation being ready 011 April 1," declared the I'rimo Minister, Mr. Savage, in announcing that the Ministers of Finance, Railways and Public Works had conferred on the replacement of the new building destroyed by fire this morning by a temporary structure. "A site' on reclaimed land at the rear of the railway station is available," Mr. Savage added. "And bulldozers will bo on the site clearing it this afternoon," said the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Scrapie. "The building will bo erected at once by the Fletcher Construction Company. The people need not be alarmed over the delay, for tlio job will be done in time. 1 am satisfied that with the efficiency of tlio Public Works Department and the co-opera-tion of the Fletcher Construction Com-pany-we have an organisation equal to anything in, the world."-