FIRE AT TEMUKA.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 12 June 1924, Page 6

FIRE AT TEMUKA.

DISASTROUS OUTBREAK. As briefly reported in yesterday’s issue the fire at Air AV. R. Rutland's, King street, Temuka, proved, to be a serious one, the building and contents being completely burned out. Just before 1 a.in. Airs Butland heard a crash downstairs similar xo falling crockery. On investigating Air Butland opened the door leading into the rear of the premises and was inet by a dense volume of smoke. Rushingupstairs he roused the family (his wife and four small children) and Mrs Butland snatched up an armful of clothes and a coat and rushed out into the street. Fortunately the stairs led to a side door opening on to the road, as immediately they reached safety, the fire invaded the . shop, which -was stocked with drapery, fireworks and other inflammable material, and soon became one mass of flame. The fire brigade were early on the scene, but could do nothing more than confine the outbreak to Butland’s. Air Lewis Hunt’s jeweller’s shop adjoining was, however, considerably damaged by water. The premises destroyed are owned by Airs T. Tillbrook, and are insured in the Liverpool, London and Globe Office, for £7OO. The contents were insured with the Guardian Office, but particulars are not yet obtainable. An unfortunate accident happened at the fire. Air J. Anderson, baker, an ex-fireman, while assisting, climbed on to the roof of Air Hunt’s shop adjoining with the object of preventing the fire spreading. On coming down a ladder from the wall of the blazing building lie stumbled on to the skylight of Air Hunt’s building and fell through to the floor, a distance of about 15 feet. He was promptly removed, and Dr Seannell summoned, and it was found that he had received a serious cut over the eye, severing an artery. Other cuts were inflicted on his legs, and he is suffering severely from shock, and it is difficult to ascertain at present tho seriousness of his injuries.