FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18352, 24 August 1929, Page 6

FIRES.

TWO HOUSES. B y T«le*r*pb—Praia Aaa»ciatio», DUNEDIN, August 23. Early this morning an old wooden, two storeyed building of 14 rooms, known ns “Haiwatha,” owned and occupied by Mr Peter Torrie, and used as a boarding house, at St. Clair, was destroyed by fire, and the adjoining house, owned and occupied hy Mr W. J. McLaughlan, journalist, was also badly damaged. the contents being practically a total loss. The occupants of “Haiwatha” just managed to escape in time, but lost their personal property. Mr McLaughlan and family were absent from home.

A Rover car owned by Mr S. Bramford, garaged at “haiwatha,” was also totally destroyed. Another house, occupied by Mrs Lawson was slightly damaged. The Brigade was handicapped through an inadequate water supply. The heat was terriffic, and several firemen had their hands blistered. The cause is unknown. The insurances were: Mr McLaughlan, £2SU on furniture, and £IOOO on the house. Mr Bramford’s motor car was-insured for £IOO. STRANGE OUTBREAKS IN AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 23. After a truce during the week, a fire has broken out in a house at Cambourne Road, Edendale, and Auckland detectives are making inquiries. The first fire started at 9.20 on Tuesday evening, and was extinguished by the Mt. Albert Brigade. Last night another blaze started early. On both occasions the occupants were away, and on Tuesday night did not return at all. MAYOR'S DWELLING DESTROYED. Ey Telegraph—Press Association. PAHIATUA, August 23. A seven-roomed residence, owned and occupied by Air J. D. Wilson, Mayor of Pahiatua, with the contents, was destroyed by fire at 10 o’clock last night. The insurances were £750 on the house, and on the furniture £230. Mr Wilson lost many valuable belongings, and is a heavy loser. The occupants were absent at the time. The place was soon enveloped in flames. The fire appeared to have originated in the kitchen. Nothing was saved. There was a poor water pressure. The crowd of spectators included many in ballroom attire. PRINTING FACTORY IN DANGER. By Tetagrapl- -rr«M CHRISTCHURCH, August 23. The timely discovery of u hre at the rear oi me printing works of Messrs V* mtcoinbe and Tombs prevented any extensive damage being done by an outbreak that engaged tne attention oi the Central Fire Brigade last evening. Sv hen the engines arrived the fire had a strong hold in a large quantity of waste paper that was haled m the yard beside the box-making department of the works. Had the flames readied tins portion, the suppression ot the fire would have been a much more difficult matter, as the large room contained a great quantity of diy and highly combustible wood. As it was, * the hre had burned through one of the windows giving access to this part of the building, and had made some headway in the root of the lean-to. Once on the scene, however, the firemen quickly suppressed the outbreak. The fire was discovered shortly after 5.30 p.m., by one of the girl employees in the lithographic department, who was working overtime, and she promptly summoned the brigade. She noticed t«ie Humes from the din-ing-room. The firm will suffer very little loss, and business will be interfered with in no way. What damage I was done will all be covered by insurance.

The origin of the outbreak is unknown, but there are no directly suspicious circumstances. The place was locked up only a quarter of an hour before the fire was discovered, and officers of the firm can give no explanation of the fire. It is possible, but by no means likely, that a spark from the furnace that serves the central heating system was responsible for the outbreak. Tim furnace is, however, situated some distance away, and the chances of this being the cause are remote. Access to the place is comparatively simple, either from Colombo or Alcester streets, by means of right-of-ways. Detectives were on the scene early, and made an examination.