FIRE IN HIGH STREET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18159, 2 February 1921, Page 2

FIRE IN HIGH STREET

LARGE BOARDING-HOUSE GUTTED

A fire broke out yesterday afternoon about 4 o’clock in a house at 220 High street, formerly occupied by Dr Sidney Allen as a residence, but latterly by Mrs Isabella Thompson as a boarding-house. The City Fire Brigade received a summons at 3.53, and on proceeding to the house found the first floor blazing from end to end. The building, which contained 20 rooms, was an old weatherboard structure and very dry, so that it burnt like matchwood. However, three leads of water were soon scoured, and as the pressure of water was good the firemen were able to do excellent work, with the result that the fire was confined entirely to the first floor, which, with the roof, was practically destroyed. The boarders on this flat lost all their belongings, but those on the ground floor had time to recover most of their property, and some of the furniture was saved. That which had to be left in the house was much damaged by smoke and wafer. The house was insured in the London and Lancashire Insurance Company for £850; the contents belonging to Mrs Thompson wore insured in the. National Company for £350; and Mr Moore, a boarder, had his belongings covered to the extent of £SO, but in what office could not be ascertained. None of the other boarders had any insurance on their property. The origin of the fire is unknown,- but possibly some light may be thrown upon it by the fact that a short time ago the Insurance Company had to pay for damage done through the electric light fittings fusing, molting- a gas-pipe, and causing an, outbreak. On that occasion the fire was discovered early and was extinguished before much damage was done, so that it was not necessary to call out the Fire Brigade. It is thought that fchb present fire may have been due to a similar cause. ~