BLAZE IN NORFOLK STREET

Patea Mail, Volume XLVI, 5 September 1923, Page 2

BLAZE IN NORFOLK STREET

GOOD SAVE BY BRIGADE An alarm of fire ’.vow given on Monday afternoon shortly after 3 o'clock, when it was found 'that a house in Norfolk Street, occupied by Mr H. C. Felton and owned by Mr G. Frccmo. was on fire. The fire was noticed for some time by Messrs W. Mills and T. Sladdcn, who were working on the road immediately at the rear of the house and only a few.yards from it, but no notice was taken of the smoko, as a high box thorn hedge obscured the view of the house, both Messrs Mills and Sladdcn Imagining that some rubbish was being burnt in the garden. Mr Sladdcn had just remarked that those who were burning rubbish would have the house on fire if they did not look out, when Mr T. .Jackson drove past and remarked that smoke was coming out of the caves of the house. Mr Mills at once rushed up and saw that the place was on fire and asked Mr D. Calder, who was passing, to ring the fire bell ,whilst he tried to salvage some of the furniture. After Mr Calder rang the bell a number of firemen and local residents were quickly on the scene, the hose reel, thanks to Mr P. H. Tiunov, being at the fire within a couple of minutes of the 1 alarm being given. Immediately following were Lieut. Adams, Messrs C. H. and A. Carey, E. Ncilson, W. Willis, C. Adams, Captain Glenny and other members of the Brigade, who soon had an abundant supply of water playing on the fire, whilst other willing hands endeavoured to salvage some of the contents of the front rooms. The dense smoke that was pouring out rendered their efforts more or less fruitless. The Brigade stuck to their task, in spite of the fact that the flames were coming out of the roof, and the building appeared doomed. After a while the high-'pressurc water supply told its talc, and the fire was got under control, but not until the greater portion of the interior had been destroyed. No one was in the house at the time of the outbreak, Mrs Felton having left to pay some calls during the afternoon. The fire, which originated in the back of the building, is supposed to have been caused by a defect in the chimney, which is very old.