FIRE AT CARLYLE.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 107, 19 April 1876, Page 2

FIRE AT CARLYLE.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF MR FELIX McGLIRE’S STORE.

Tun past week has been an eventful one for Patea, and otic that will hot be easily forgotten by many. In our last issue we chronicled the stranding of the s.s. Egmont on the Patea bar, and several other accidents, and in this we have the painful duty to record the total destruction of Mr F. McGuire’s store by fire. At about half-past live o’clock on Sunday morning last, the residents of Carlyle were aroused from their peaceful slumbers by the dread cry of lire, and as the cry rang in their ears, almost every individual thought it was their own house that was on fire. But they Soon found out its real whereabouts on going outside, as by this time the flames had got fair hold of the building, and the awful glare was visible for miles around. It appears that Mrs R. Erskine was roused by the cry of fire, and on looking out the window, discovered that McGuire’s store was burning. She immediately called her husband, and lie ran across the road, to awake Mr McGuire. Finding that they were all astir, Mr Erskine proceeded to arouse the neighbours. Mrs Erskine also started for the upper part of the town, shouting out “ lire ” at the top"pf her voice, and knocking at every door as she passed. We may say that it was through her instrumentality that such a number of people were on the scene of the conflagration so soon after it was first discovered. All praise is therefore due to Mr and Mrs Erskine (more especially the latter) for the very nromnt action they took in the matter. Upon arrival on the scene, the doors of the store Were burst open, and willing hands commenced to remove whatever they could lay hands on, but, unfortunately, by the time the bulk of the people arrived, the fire had got such a strong hold of the upper part of the building, where it originated, that it was unsafe to remain in the store long. Miscellaneous articles, such as scythes, axes, &c., were hanging up to the ceiling, and the strings catching lire,- they came down, to the peril of those inside.

After everything wits removed that was possible from the burning store, attention was directed to Air McGuire’s dwellinghouse, which was only a few yards distant. The furniture,- &c., was taken to a safe distance, and blankets saturated with water were placed on the side of the house. But it was thought a hopeless case, as the heat was something terrible. However, the more powerful the heat became, the more determined was the desire to save the building, and, after a hard struggle, they were rewarded by seeing the sides of the store fall in, which was a signal that the dwelling was saved. We cannot pass over Mr J. Milroy’s gallant conduct without special notice. That gentleman was seated on the ridge-board of the dwelling-house for nearly an hour, with the heat so powerful that he was compelled to put a blanket over his head, which had to be kept saturated with water. From this critical position, Mr Milroy received buckets of water from others, and poured it down the side of the house, which undoubtedly saved it. We must also bear testimony to the unwearied energy of Messrs Fiunerty, McKay, Lett Buckley, Dale, Iluvrcll, Meredith, Odgers Inman, Jaeomb, Murray, Hooke, McCoy, and many others whose names wc regret are not at our command at present.

Master Connolly experienced some littl difficulty in getting out of the hj >use when he discovered the fire. He la t) get out of his bedroom window on to the lean-to at the back, and jump to the ground at great risk of personal injury. As it was, fortunately he was not hurt. The flames were terrific, the spirits and oil, of which there were large quantities in stock, blazing with great fury, and sending up a huge column of fire. The peculiarly calm morning prevented this from wavering in the least, and the combination of the various ingredients that fed the blaze produced the most beautiful and varied colors possible, red, crimson, and green being blended most singularly. Salt was freely thrown on to the burning fire, and had great effect in subduing it, and an effort was made to get out the safe. For some time this was unsuccessful, the heat being such that no one could approach within yards. At length sufficient water was thrown on to enable a rope to be made fast to it, and it was speedily dragged out. Some further trouble then took place in getting it open, the heat having affected the lock, and it

was found necessary to break it open —a work that occupied some time, the safe being an excellent one. Most fortunately, the books and documents, including some, notes ilk a pocket-book, were found perfect with the exception of a slight scorching to their backs. The fire burnt furiously for nearly an hour and a half, the weather remaining fortunately calm all the timeThe least breath of air would have, rendered it.impossible to save Mr McGuire’s private house, and had this caught, the Bank of New Zealand and some other small tenements must have followed. As it was, only the most unremitting exertions on the part of those assisting hy water being thrown* Mr Tapliii's premises were saved.

In Common with a large number of friends, \vc sincerely sympathise with Mr McGuire in his groat misfortune, and regret to say that the whole of Ids insurance is only £7OO The building, which was valuable and well built, had £4OO, and the stock £3OO on it, both in the South British. The stock alone Mr McGuire valued at £3,300.