OAONUI HOUSE BURNS DOWN

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 6

OAONUI HOUSE BURNS DOWN

NOTHING SAVED FROM THE BLAZE FIRE SPREADS RAPIDLY IN WIND. Fire completely destroyed the home and all the possessions of Mr. J. Zurcher, Kina Road, Oaonui, last night. The family was absent when the outbreak occurred at about eight o’clock, and the flames had a strong hold before they were noticed by neighbours. The Zurchers are heavy losers through the fire. Though the house was partly insured, for £250, it is understood, there was no cover on the furniture or other personal possessions. Nothing at all was saved. About 7.40 o’clock Mr. C. Leatherbarrow passed the house on his way to visit Mr. G. Willers, a few chains further up the road. At that time there was no sign of fire. Not much more than 10 minutes later Mr. Willers saw that the building was burning. Fanned by the strong wind the flames soon demolished the house. The fire was too fierce for anything to be saved, and there was nothing that settlers could do. Mr. Zurcher’s mother lias been away for some days. Mr. Zurcher and his sister were out for the evening. Last night they were the guests of neighbours. The house was of six rooms and was fairly old.