FIRE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143764, 12 April 1912, Page 2

FIRE.

HOUSE AT ST. AUBYN DESTROYED. At five minutes to twelve on Thursday night an alarm of tire was given by Constable O’Neill, who was on duty in the vicinity of the Post Office, and who saw flames arising at. the west end of Devon Street. The conflagration proved to be in an eight-roomed bouse owned at present by the Bonithon Oil Company, and formerly by Mr. J. C. Davies. On the alarm being given the brigade, under Superintendent P. C. J. Bellringer, turned out, but on proceed- , ing towards the seat of the fire it was found that the burning house was over tfie borough boundary, so the fire-fight-ing appliances wese only taken as far as the Outfield Road. Had the brigade been available, however, it is questionable if anything could have been saved, for the building was an old one and burned like tinder. The house was occupied by Mr. Albert Edward Callow. Mr. Callow is “baching” at present, his wife and family being on their way to Sydney. He was at a neighbour’s, playing cards all the evening, and on returning home at 11.30 found that the house was on fire, and that the flames had a good hold on the building. Ho endeavoured to get inside to obtain some money which was in the house, but was unable to do so, as the heat was too intense. Mr. Callow had only a short while ago had a sale of his furniture, and the furniture which was in the house at the time of the fire was almost new, having been quite recently purchased, and was valued at £3OO. On this he had £2OO insurance in the London and Lancashire Company (Messrs. Watkins and Fox, agents); a piano was also insured in the same company for £4O. The house was insured in the State office (Mr. K. Bain, agent) for £2OO, and is a total loss.