FIRE AT GIRLS’ HOME

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9094, 13 July 1915, Page 2

FIRE AT GIRLS’ HOME

Prca* Association. CHRISTCHUIICH, July 12. A fire early this morning destroyed No. 1 ward at Te Oranga Home, Bottle Lake. No, 1 ward is the oldest portion of the .buildings, and is situated at right angles to No. 2 ward, part of the new portion, a brick .two-storey building. No. 1 ward was of wood, and only one storey. It was occupied by girls in the No. 1 class, according to the classification of the school', between 14 and 16 years of age. The matron’s cottage adjoins. . • ; When the outbreak was discovered the inmates were got out, some only partly dressed. The matron and her assistants po on had a bucket brigade organised, and water was obtained from the artesian supply about three or folir chains away. The fire had got such a good hold, however, that the work of the bucket brigade was devoted chiefly to saving the adjoining building—No. 2 ward. Several members of the police force were soon in attendance, and render ing what help was possible. Byi dint of the work ddn© by the girls’ bucket brigade the fire was prevented from gaining a hold of No. 2 ward, thoiigh the windows and doors in that building caught alight/ The willing manner in which the girls worked was the outstanding feature of the steps taken to cope with the outbreak. The fire is supposed to have occurred through the practice of placing ashes in a large receptacle outside the destroyed building and alongside one of its wooden walls.