FIRE AT BALCLUTHA

Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 8

FIRE AT BALCLUTHA

(Fbom Oub Own Cobbespondent.) BAIXLUTHA January 20. A seven-roomed dwelling, situated at liosebank, Balelutha, was totally destroyed by fire at about 4.30 a.m. yesterday. The house, which was the property of Mrs James Willocks, North Balelutha, was tenanted at the lime by Mr W. Haynes, Government meat inspector. When Mr and Mrs Haynes retired in the evening all appeared well, but having cause to rise at about 4 o’clock in the morning to give attention to a sick child, Mr Haynes found that the rear portion of the house was ablaze. On the receipt of an alarm, although the bouse wVs situated outside the town boundary, the Balelutha Fire Brigade was promptly upon the scene, but the lack of a good supply of water prevented it from saving the house, which was soon a mass of flames, and speedily became demolished. Only a very few articles were saved. The house was insured for £390 with the National Insurance Company, and on pre-sent-day values Mrs Willoeks’s loss is a considerable one. The furniture and effects were insured with the Royal Exchange Insurance. The origin of the outbreak is supposed to be a defective chimney.