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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 594, 8 January 1879, Page 2

Wairoa, This day. The Town had a narrow escape yesterday from being the scene of a conflagration, the extent of which could hardly be estimated. Between 3 and 4 o'clock volumes of smoke were observed issuing from the corner of a shop occupied by Mrs. Finlayson, draper. An alarm was given, but no fire could be discovered m the shop but thick.smoke issuing from beside a case of matches.—On going outside the building, it was discovered that a Kerosine tin, containing ashes and papers, had been placed by the occupant of the adjoining house, J. Casley under the shop floor within a few feet of case matches. The rubbish m the tin had evidently been placed there m an ignited condition, and was increasing m strength. When removed, the matter was placed m the hands of the agent of N. Z. Insurance Co., m whose office the building is insured, and it is likely that the jury will express their strong disapprobation of such extreme carelessness. Had the tin of rubbish been placed there later m the evening and remained undiscovered until dusk, nothing could have saved the whole block of dwellings, including the Wairoa Hotel.