HOMESTEAD DESTROYED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20289, 23 December 1927, Page 9

HOMESTEAD DESTROYED.

AN EARLY MORNING BLAZE. (Peb CTnit. j Press Association.) ASHBURTON, December 22. Corwar Homestead, the residence of Mr R. G. M‘Lean, Barrhill, was burned to the ground at 3.30 a.ra. to-day. The fire had such a good hold when it was discovered that the members of the familyhad to make a hurried exit in their night attire. Nothing was saved, and only the chimneys and a concrete wall remain. The building, a large two-storey residence, was built many years ago by the late Mr J. Cathcart Wason, at one time a member of the House of Representatives, and late °f the British House of Commons. OUTBREAK IN BOOKSHOP. SEVERAL NARROW ESCAPES. (Pee United PEi-ss Association.) WELLINGTON, December 22. A fire broke out in Mr Tosman Aitken’s Book Arcade, 5 Courtenay place, at about a quarter-past 4 this afternoon, and the occupants of the “ Magic Cave ” had a narrow 7 escape from death. Th r fire, it is believed, was caused by a wire in the toy “ cave ” fusing. The “ cave ” was manufactured of highly inflammable matter,, and burst into flames at once. The two fairies, young girls of 13 and 14, escaped only just in time, while the clothes of Father Christmas caught fire, and he managed to free himself from the heavy gown barely in time to avoid serious injury. One employee of the firm, Mrs N. Carroll, w 7 as burnt on the left upper arm, face, and nock, and was taken by the ambulance to her homcf in Willis street. The fire brigade w 7 as promptly at the spot and suppressed the fire in half an hoilr. Tarpaulins were spread over the counters in the toy department, and saved much of the stock from serious damage. The outbreak was localised on the first floor, where the building and stock were damaged by fire, smoke, and water. The stock in the book department on the ground floor escaped injury, but most of the goods upstairs suffered. The stock w T as insured for £5250 in the Standard Fire Insurance Company and for £250 in the Victoria Insurance Company’s office. The fittings wore insured for £SOO in the Standard office.