FIRE AT NEW BRIGHTON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 173, 1 November 1910, Page 5

FIRE AT NEW BRIGHTON.

SPREADS THROUGH THE LUPINS. A WATERING-PLACE THREATENED. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Christchurch, Monday. A serious fire started in the lupins near the terminus of the New Brighton tram line this morning, and, fanned by a nor'west gale, swept throujh the plantations towards the borough of New Brighton, destroying two cottages on the way. A report came in at one o'clock that the lire was spreading with amazing rapidity. Mr. Allan Hopkins' big dwelling-house had a narrow escape, the lire destroying a fernery attached, and small outbuildings. The position in the northern extension of New Brighton is serious. The Christchurch Fire Brigade lias now sent down a steam engine to the seaside, and will station it at the river, but if the fire reaches the more closely settled area the fire-fighting appliances will prove quite inadequate, as the fire front extends over a wide area. So far, it has swept over the sandhills covered with lupins, and with an occasional plantation of piniis insignis, but fortunately there are few dwellings in this part (The sandhills between Christchurch and NewBrighton were planted with lupins to hold the sand).

FLEEING FROM THE FLAMES. HOUSES AND PLANTATIONS DESTROYED. Christchurch, Last Night.' New Brighton residents took . the alarm early. A number of residents whose houses were near the Domain started to get their homes cleared of furniture, and soon the roads and footpaths in the vicinity were littered with boxes, sofas, pianos and other articles* of household furniture. Some poor women, alone in their houses, simply came to their gates and stared at the smoke and flame with blank dismay and helpless despair. The fire seemed to concentrate its efforts on Cowhill road, where there were a number of, small houses. This Cowhill road is on the tramline, which is just being excavated for construction. On the road there were some pathetic scenes. Women leading little children were fleeing from the flames which threatened their lives and homes, and away from the suffocating smoke, which threatened to stifle them. Then the houses were emptied, the little household goods bein» spread over the road. Above all were the varicolored pall of smoke and the dull roai of the fire. The houses in most dangei were those occupied by Mrs. Faulkner, Mrs. Torry and Mrs. Winkler. On the other side of the line was Mr. Duff's house, which was burned down. Mrs. Robertson had to leave her home, which is in the same locality. Mrs. Fred Needham, with several young children, also said farewell to her home. At 4 p.m. a reporter made a tour through the Domain and North New Brighton when the fire was under control and there was little further danger of it spreading. Christchurch, Later.

A tour of the area between Cowhill road and the Jubilee avenue showea that the destruction of and damage to property was considerable. Ray Blank's whare narrowly escaped destruction'. The fire got in through a closed window and damaged the eontents considerably. Behind these places and adjoining the boundary of the plantation originally stood Mr. H. 0. Dun's two whnres. which were completely destroyed. One whare was insured for £SO iti the Atlas Office. The furniture, valued at £l5O, was also insured in the same office. The plantation has been practically destroyed, the fire having swept through it at a terrific rate, as was evidenced by the fact that a rabbit roasted brown was found on the groirnd. On the northern boundary of the plantation, and fronting Jubilee avnue. a number of eamns were destroyed. Mr. J. J. Cornwall's whare" was destroyed, the value of which is estimated at between £SO and £75. It was not insured. The whare of Mr. Herbert Griffen, adjoining, was also destroyed. It is valued at £IOO. Mrs, Clifford's whare of four or five rooms, valued at £l5O, and Mr. C. S.' Brookes' hut, which, with its contents, is valued at £25, were also totally destroved. With the exception of Messrs. Duffs' and Brookes' cases, the estimated value given is that of the buildings only. Xo estimate was obtainable of the value of the contents destroyed. Probably the damage done in the area mentioned, as far as was ascertainable, totals close upon £SOO. Further north, Mr. Allan Hopkins estimates his loss at £2OO, and Mr. Marriott at £SO.