FIRE AT LEPPERTON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7192, 9 October 1886, Page 2

FIRE AT LEPPERTON.

Tub residence of the schoolmaster at Lepperton was burned down at 3 o'clock this morning, and Mr. Campbell, the schoolmaster, who has only this last few days taken up his duties, was severely scorched on the forehead and on both hands. He came into town to-day, and had his injuries diessed by Dr. Gibbes.

The building was of four rooms, with a sculleiy. Mr. Campbell occupied a room at the back, and Miss O'Leary, his housekeeper, and his two children, aged nino and six, ocenpied roomsin the front. At about three o'clock Mr. Campbell waß awakened by the noise of the fire ia the-centre of the house. He was unable to leave his room except by the window. As soon as he got out ho hastened round to the front of the house, where the other occupants were located, in order to effect their rescue. They also had no other means of exit but by a window, and were screaming at finding themselves seemingly enveloped in the flames. Mr. Campbell smashed tho window, and after some difficulty extricated them from their perilous 'position. After accomplishing thiß he attempted to save some of the furniture, but the fire was too far advanced to admit of this, and tho only result of his endeavors was the sustaining of the injuries mentioned. Miss O'Leary had her h,iir slightly singed, but neither she nor tho children were otherwise injured. Tho house waß tho property of the Taranaki Education Board, and was uninsured. The furniture belonged to Mr. Campbell, and was also, uninsured. Mr. Campbell, in addition to being schoolmaster, waa postmaster of the village, and about twenty-fivo letters and a larger number of papers were destroyed. The v burnt-out household lost all their clothing, except what they wore at the time of the fire, and they have temporarily been given shelter by Mr. Lepper.