Fire in the South School

Southland Times, Issue 13281, 6 August 1895, Page 2

Fire in the South School

HALF OF THE BUILDING WRECKED. Shortly before eleven o’clock yesterday evening the Central Brigade firebell was rung in the usual ineffective manner and as the ringing soon ceased and did not indicate clearly where the fire was it was pretty generally supposed that it had been easily quenched. Unfortunately the reverse proved to be the case as that large and very essential public building, the South School, in Crinan street, was to a great extent ruined. About 10.30 Mr Woods, residing in Seaward Bush, when passing the school, noticed that the infant room in the western end of the building was on fire. He called out Mr T. Lockerbie, who lives close by, and his son, and Mr Webber, headmaster, who lives opposite, was also apprised of the outbreak. Young Lockerbie ran to the school bell to sound an alarm and Mr Webber and the others tried to enter the room in which the fire had started. It was so full of smoke and fire, however, and its immediate location was so far from the door that it was not possible to remain any length of time inside, and before the firemen got to work the flames had spread to the ceiling and roof and the building was practically destroyed to the central portion on which is the belfry. As to the source of the outbreak there seems to be little room for doubt that it was at the fireplace in the infant room as a large hole was burnt out of the flooring in front of it. Mrs Cockburn, who has for years cleaned the school, being unwell, her two daughters commenced the work about 3.30 yesterday and left about6.lo p.m. Theystate that there were some pieces of firewood standing on end in the chimney of the infant room; these they lifted out and placed on the floor close by and to one side of the fireplace. There was nothing left then of the fire but a few ashes. They locked all the doors on leaving, and no one was in the school during the evening. The school being so far from the centre of the town some time elapsed before the brigades mustered in force. Then there was a scarcity of ladders, but, worst of al), the hose kept bursting in all directions, and so the efforts of the men to hold th« fire in check were to a great extent nullified. The disaster is a serious one in many ways. The furniture, maps, and children’s books throughout the rooms were destroyed or injured by water inside and removal, as heavy. rain was falling. The school will be completely broken up for a time, even if rooms can be got to carry on the various classes, and the consequent derangement is most discouraging. The building, in common with all State schools, is not insured and speedy application will have to be made to the Government for funds to reinstate it.