FIRE AT THORNDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3678, 2 March 1899, Page 6

FIRE AT THORNDON.

TWO HOUSES DESTROYED. Shortly before 9 o’clock last night a fire broke out in a large house in Murphy street, occupied by Mr and Mrs Stockton as a boardinghouse. The Fire Brigade, under Acting-Captain Adams, was not long m getting to the scene oh the outbreak, but it was some time before the water was turned on, and even then the supply was quite inadequate. The flames, which were fanned by a strong north-westerly wind, made rapid headway, and were quickly to be seen bursting out of all parts of the house. Soon they broke through a window at the side of the house, and attacked an eight-roomed house adjoining, occupied by Inspector Pender. Even then the supply of water was weak, and the flames made rapid progress, it being quickly apparent that the building must be destroyed. Nothing had been saved from Mr Stockton’s house, but as soon as it was . seen that Inspector Pender’s was in danger, a “number of willing helpers formed themselves into a salvage corps and succeeded in saving a considerable quantity of furniture. Much, however, had to bo left behind, and a good deal of what was got out was broken, in transit. A large crowd of people gathered to witness the fire, which presented a very fine spectacle, the wind scattering the sparks and pieces of burning wood far and wide, and the flames pouring out in huge sheets, which threatened to almost reach Ihe house on the opposite side of the street. At the corner of Pipitea and Murphy streets, and adjoining the house occupied by Mr Stockton, is a newlybuilt house used as a school. This lay to leeward of,the burning buildings, and was from the start in imminent danger of becoming ignited, but great care was taken to present that happening. A stream of water was poured on to the building until danger was past, and beyond a scorching it escaped uninjured. ■ The flames spread with great rapidity through the other two houses, and when, after about fifty minutes’ hard work, the brigade had succeeded in practically extinguishing the fire both of them were mere shells. The members of the Fire Brigade worked well, but were restricted in their efforts for some time by the inadequate supply of’ water available. The wind, too, was against them, and matters were at one time rendered somewhat lively by large pieces of iron and wood being blown off the roofs and hurled along the roadway, luckily without accident resulting to anyone. The house occupied by Mr Stockton was owned by Mrs Twi.sa, of Kbandallab, and was insured in the , Commercial Union for .£4OO. Tho house in which Inspector Pender lived belonged to.the estate of .the late Mr J. Maginnity, and was insured for £450 in the Alliance office. Inspector Pender had no insurance on bis furniture, and it is understood that Me Stockton was also uninsured-