FIRE AT MANGAPAPA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16450, 6 June 1924, Page 5

FIRE AT MANGAPAPA.

SHED AND STABLE DESTROYED

SUSPECTED INCENDIARISM

Shortly before nine o'clock last evening a fire was discovered in a building behind the Mangapapa Town Board office in Ormond road, and within a short time the building was completely gutted, and all the contents with the exception of one small article destroyed. Included in the contents of the building was a Thornnycroft motor-lorry, which was also destroyed. The shed and stable were owned by Mr. W. J. McCliskie, who lives on the hid some little distance away. The glare was first seen about 20 minutes to 9 by Mrs. McCliskie. When Mr. McCliskie arrived on the scene the fire had obtained a good hold on the middle wall between the shed and the stable.

In the loft a quantity of millet, used for broom-making purposes, was stored, and this was rapidly consumed by the flames. The millet, which was the property of Mr. MeOliskie, junr., was worth from £3O to £4O.

The flames spread with remarkable rapidity, and Mr. McCliskie realised that the building was doomed. The only thing that he could save was a collar and harness which were hanging on a peg in the open portion of the stable. The Fire Brigade arrived on the scene shortly after the outbreak was discovered, but as there was no water supply available they could do nothing to save the building. The shed, which was 40ft. by 24ft., was used by Mr. McCliskie for 1 storage purposes, and he will be a heavy loser. A carpenter's bench and tools, and a threshing machine and engine, were amongst the articles destroyed. The shed was also housing for the winter a five-ton Thorneycroft motorlorry belonging to Mr. H. Field. The motor-lorry was insured for a small amount, and the building for £2OO, the insurance being with the Norwich Union office.

Speaking to a Herald reporter to-day. Mr. McCliskie said that two years ago n. deliberate attempt had been made to burn down the same building, and several sacks, saturated with kerosene, had been found. No one had been near the shed recently, and he suspected that this latest fire was the work of some incendiary.