HOUSE AGAIN ABLAZE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1933, Page 7

HOUSE AGAIN ABLAZE

NEW PLYMOUTH OUTBREAK FORMER DAMAGE NOT REPAIRED. STONES ON NEIGHBOUR’S ROOF. BRIGADE SUPPRESSES FLAMES. Another fire occurred in a house in Courtenay Street, New Plymouth, last night. The alarm was given at midnight, and when the brigade aiTived a few minutes later the fire had a very strong hold and flames , and a large volume of smoke were issuing from the room and windows. The outbreak was quickly subdued, but the damage done was considerable. Although the fire had originated in the back of the house it had also penetrated into the front rooms, which were badly scorched and in some places charred. The building, which has been unoccupied since the departure of the owners, is understood to belong to Mrs. W. L. Wagstaff. Mr. Wagstaff was first assistant of the Central school and was transferred to Ohura eight months ago. The outbreak was about the fourth in the house, the first occurring about six years ago, the second two years ago, and another as recently as four weeks. As the damage done on the last occasion had not been repaired the effects of last night’s fire were even more serious. The seat of the fire was the bathroom, the place in which the previous fire had occurred. When the brigade arrived the back door was found ajar. “The first warning I got was the sound of a stone landing on my roof,” said Mr. R. Cummings, who lives next door. Almost immediately afterwards a second stone was thrown, and in answer to his inquiry a voice cried, “Your house is on fire!” As Mr. Cummings rushed out to give the alarm he saw a small car disappearing up the road, and there was no sign of anyone else nearby. Seeing the smoke and flames in the next house, he ran round the corner and sounded the alarm on the Devon St.-Gover Street corner.

Had there been any wind it is almost certain that other houses must also have caught fire. Mr. Cummings’ house is in one place not more than five feet distant, and on the other side Envoy Buick s house is also very close.

A peculiar feature of the occurrence was that yesterday afternoon it is believed that the house was being measured by a contractor in preparation for repairs in the near future.