RAZED TO THE GROUND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19314, 3 May 1937, Page 4

RAZED TO THE GROUND

SIX-ROOMED DWELLING FAMILY'S HURRIED ESCAPE Fire razed to the ground last night a six-roomed dwelling in Ralph street, and the occupants, Mrs. J. H. 0 'Meagher and -family, had to make an immediate escape from the burning house. The family retired about 10.30 p.m., leaving just the embers in the open grate in the dining-room, and it is thought that a spark from the grate must have started the blaze. The first to be awakened was Cyril, Mrs. o'Meagher's eldest child, who had been sleeping in the. same room with his mother and who raised the alarm. Mrs. O'Meagher hurriedly shepherded her children, five of whom were sleeping in the front bedroom, outside to sufetv.

The'remaining occupant, Mr. McCallura, who was still sleeping in the back bedroom unaware of that the building was on lire, was awakened and made an immediate exit through the window.

The flames had such a hold on the building that the occupants had to escape in their night attire, not saving oven their personal effects.

The lire brigade received a telephone call,at 11.45 o'clock, but as the lire was half a mile beyond the borough boundary and no water supply was available the firemen were not able to respond.

The building was a fairly old one and it burned rapidly, there being only the chimneys left standing at 12.20 o'clock. The owner of the house was Mr. J. H. AVeatherloy, Fox street. The house was insured with the Alliance Insurance Company for £3OO, and it is understood that there was a cover of £125 over the furniture.

After their escape Mrs. O'Meagher and family were taken to Kellingworth bourdinghouse, where they received every attention. Mrs. o'Meagher's husband is at present an inmate of the Cook Hospital.