FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 27

FIRES.

DARGAVILLE, July 1. "A fire at Okaihau this morning totally destroyed a nine-roomed homestead and its contents, the property of Mr W. Thompson. Mis Thompson was alone in the house at the time, and her husband was out working on the farm. His wife called him, and some neighbours also rushed over, but the fire had too strong a hold for -hem to do any good. Only a few articles of furniture were save'’ The insurances were £205 on the furniture and £SOO on the building, but Mr Thompson is a very heavy loser. It is suspected the cause of the fire was a defective chimney. AUCKLAND, June 30. A fire early this morning destroyed the Henderson Town Hall, a landmark for 30 years, together with two libraries, piano, and furniture; also the Town Board’s safe, with its contents. A picture proprietor lost his projecting machine and material, valued at £3OO. The Town Board’s loss is partly covered by insurance The OddfelloWs’ Lodge lost its furniture and regalia, which was insured for £75. MASTERTON. July 3. A fire at 11 o’clock last night destroyed a five-roomed house at Lansdowne, owned and occupied by Thomas Voyce, a storeman employed by the power board. The house was insured, but not the furniture. Shortly after the arrival of the brigade two firemen —W. M‘Laren and W. Tait—were injured through coming into contact with a live wire, and could not be freed until the current was cut off. Tait was injured in the lower part of the body, and MLaren was rendered unconscious. Both were sent to hospital. WANGANUI, June 30. The destruction by fire of the Mangaweka School last night makes the third school to be burned along this coast within i a few weeks—namely, the New Plymouth High School, and the Maxwelltown and Mangaweka schools, while a fire in the Avenue School was discovered just in time to prevent a serious conflagration. The buildiqg was well might when the' alarm was raised at about 7 o’clock, and a willing crowd of volunteer firemen was quickly on the scene. It was obvious from the outset that there was little chance of quelling the outbreak. Two or three leads of hose with water from the town supply were brought to play on the flames, but they had practically no effect. Valiant efforts were made by the brigade to auell the outbreak, and, despite the strong hold the flames had, one wing was saved from complete destruction. The adjoining buildings also, including the head master’s residence. were kept out of danger. It is stated that the remaining portion of the school, though not entirely destroyed, was badly guttea, and it is improbable that it will he used again. The building, a wooden one, waa over 30 years old, and waa in an excellent state of preservation The school was a large one and could accommodate close on 300 pupils. It is not known at present how their studies are to be carried on. The cause of the conflagration is not definitely known, but it is believed to have been due to a defective chimney. The flames were visible for miles around, and a largo orowd of onlookers was attracted to the scene of the burning building. _ . INVERCARGILL, July 1. The secretary of the Southland Education Board received advice this afternoon that the Limeetone Plains School it Isla Bank had been destroyed by fire it an early hour this morning. The cause of

the outbreak is believed to have been a fused electric light switch. The teacher in charge (Miss Anderson), who lives in the residence attached to the school, was awakened by the crackling of the flames, but the building, which insisted of one large classroom and a porch, was then practically razed to the ground. The damage to the building, which was erected in 1896. is estimated at £IOOO. At 2.30 a.m. a party of men passed the school, but at that time there was no sign of anything amiss. Arrangements are being made by the board to carry on the school work in an adjoining hall.