RESIDENCE DESTROYED

Southland Times, Issue 20447, 27 March 1928, Page 5

RESIDENCE DESTROYED

ANOTHER FIRE AT OTAUTAU. Following on the disastrous blaze in the business section of Otautau early on Friday morning, the news of another outbreak of fire in the same locality is surprising. About two o’clock on Sunday morning smoke was seen issuing from the “Dalmorven” residence, a seven-roomed brick and rough-cast bungalow, owned and occupied by Mr and Mrs W. F. North. The occupants succeeded in leaving the house and the alarm was given. By this time, however, the fire had such a strong hold that the piano and only a small portion of the furniture were saved from the flames. So complete was the work of destruction that only part of the walls remain. The stables, which have just been recently constructed, escaped damage, fortunately, as there were a number of racing horses housed in them. It is understood that the fire was caused through an electric wire on the roof fusing. The insurance on the furniture amounted to £lOO, but Mr North is a heavy loser. OUTBREAK IN PRINCESS STREET. At 1.15 p.m. yesterday the Invercargill Fire Brigade received a call to 145 Princess street where an outbreak of fire had occurred in a seven-roomed house owned by Mr Charles Samuel Stevens, Gorge Road, and occupied by Mr George F. Smith. The brigade was promptly on the scene and soon had the fire under control though not before the front room had been severely damaged and two other rooms slightly affected by the fire. It is believed that the outbreak was caused by a spark falling from an open grate. The house was insured in the Phoenix Office for £lOOO and the contents in the Australian Provident Assurance Union for £3OO and the Norwich for £250.