SCHOOL BURNED DOWN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22064, 21 September 1933, Page 7

SCHOOL BURNED DOWN

BLAZE AT RUNANGA OUTBUILDING ALSO DESTROYED. (Per United -Press Association.) OREYMOUTH, September 20. The State school at Runanga was destroyed by fire early this morning. The main building of five large classrooms, the primer II room#, the dental clinic, two shelter sheds, and tool and wood sheds, were all completely demolished. The only materials saved were the contents of the primer and dental clinic. The absence of fire-fighting apparatus left the residents helpless to cope with the blaze. Arrangements are being made to secure St. Thomas’s Church gymnasium and the Druids’ Hall as temporary premises in which to carry on the school work. SAWMILL DESTROYED FIRE IN LONQWOODS. Word Ws»a received In Riverton on Tuesday morning (says the correspondent of the Southland Times) of the total destruction by fire of Messrs Trail Bros, and Smythies’ sawmill in the Longwoods on Monday evening. At 9.30 p.m. all appeared safe about the mill, but an hour later Mrs Thomas Trail, wife of one of the proprietors, noticed flames issuing from the building, and the alarm was promptly given. The employees and others were quickly on the scene, but by this time the structure was burning fiercely, and little or nothing could be done in the way of saving anything. The cause of the fire is a mystery. It is supposed to have started on the southern side, a considerable distance away from the engine. The loss will be a serious one to the owners as there was no insurance, and the plant will cost a considerable amount to replace. It was built in 1918, and cost £SOOO. The firm has had a slack time for eome months past, and just when orders were coming in more freely and the prospect# were appearing brighter, It has again been handicapped by a destructive fire. OUTBREAK ON LORRY. Shortly before 11.30 yesterday morning fire broke out in a load of skins on a motor lorry which was standing in Scoull street, Green Island, but the local fire brigade, which was quickly on the scene, extinguished the outbreak before much damage was done. The lorry, which was owned by Mr G. Robertson, of Mosgiel, was undamaged.