FIRE RAZES BIG HOUSE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1935, Page 4

FIRE RAZES BIG HOUSE

OUTBREAK AT LEPPERTON LITTLE OF CONTENTS RESCUED. RAPIDITY OF ITS DESTRUCTIONSPECTACLE ATTRACTS CROWDS. Fire completely destroyed a large twostoreyed house and outbuildings, the property of Mr. Henry Woisin, Richmond Road, Lepperton, shortly after 4.30 p.m.7, yesterday. Efforts to check the fire were frustrated, the only available water being cut off by flames. Few clothes and very little furniture were rescued. The buildings were covered by insurance but the furniture was not. The fire had secured a strong hold before the outbreak was detected. Leaving the other members of the household at afternoon tea, Mrs. Woisin, sister-in-law of Mr. H. Woisin, went upstairs, where she smelt burning material. She opened a bedroom door and huge flames greeted her. The flames had taken complete possession of the upper storey and the family was forced downstairs. Fanned by a keen breeze, the fire swept through the building with remarkable rapidity. The house was completely at the mercy of the flames when the first neighbours arrived to give assistance. Two tanks of water at the back were early put out of action by the terrific heat of the flames as they licked the outbuildings.

The opening of doors, while saving a few oddments, caused additional draughts and whipped the fire into greater . fury. No explanation can be given as to the cause of the fire except that the electric light wires, which entered the house in the room where the fire. was first discovered, may have been responsible. Although many people attracted from afar by the size of the flames gathered in the vicinity of the smouldering ruins very few actually saw the building as it stood wreathed in flames, the total destruction taking place, within a particularly short time.

Mr. Woisin and his household were offered hospitality last night by neighbours. ■ - '