A HEAP OF DEBRIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19628, 24 October 1933, Page 8

A HEAP OF DEBRIS

PRIME MINISTER’S HOME SUNDAY’S FIRE With startling suddenness fire swept through “Crystal Brook,” the home ol the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. i G. W. Forbes and Mrs Forbes, three i miles from the Cheviot township on j Sunday morning. In the absence of j any fire-fighting appliances all that was left standing of the six-roomed wooden dwelling were two lone chim- j neys. Only a few personal effects were : saved by their son, Mr Robert Forbes, j who manages the farm, and the only one of the family at home at the time. The Misses Jessie and Bertha Forbes were with their parents in Wellington. “It is a tremendous shock to me and to my parents in Wellington,” said Mr Robert Forbes to a reporter later in the day. “The fire travelled through the house at incredible speed. We saved very little." He stated that he could not give an estimate of the damage but the loss would be considerable. Apart from many valuable articles in the house much of sentimental value had been lost. Wakened by Noise. Mr Forbes was attending the pictures at Cheviot on Saturday evening, returning home shortly after eleven o'clock, when he lit the range and made himself a cup of tea, retiring shortly after to his bed on the porch. About one o'clock he awoke to the sound of crackling timbers and the smell of smoke. He went inside to investigate but, when he opened the door, was met by dense clouds of smoke which made it unsafe to venture far. The seat of the fire was at the back of the house, most probably the kitchen, although the flames had spread by this time over the rear portion of the premises. Mr Forbes attempted to save a few personal possessions from the front rooms and succeeded in removing some clothing and other articles. He quickly realised however that his efforts to save any quantity of furniture or goods were useless and even dangerous in the ahsence of any help.. Had he been overcome by the smoke there was no one to assist him. Neighbours Roused. He roused the married couple, Mr and Mrs Stokes, living in a cottage 200 yards away, and they in turn went to the house of Mr A. M'Giffert opposite and telephoned on the party line for the neighbours in the immediate vicinity. Within a very short time eight or nine helpers had arrived but nothing could be done as the* flames were by this time enveloping the whole building, and even a close appr--.ch was impossible. Within an hour the dwelling had been reduced to a heap of embers and twisted iron. It was fortunate that the wind was blowing from the southwest and away from the motor garage, housing two cars, or nothing c-uld have saved them from the fire. A fall of snow was experienced at the height of the fire. Although there were several outbuildings near the house, and also high macrocarpa hedges, the fire did not spread across the gaps and the damage was not so extensive as it might pccsibly * .ve been. A small engine hou.c, used to generate power for the farm and the house, escaped damage. The Articles Saved, Among the articles rescued from the blazing building were sporting trophies and presentations, chief among them a banner presented to the Prime Minister by Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, some years ago. The banner was that won by the old Eaci Christchurch Football Club, which Mr Forbes captained at the time. It had been in the possession of Sir Heaten Rhodes up to the time of the presentation. Another article saved was a valuable clock which belc-iged to Mr For' -s's father unu was brought from America originally. A cup won by the yacht Pakeha which the Prime Minister _nd other members of the family raced many years ago wr.s also recovered. A gramophone and records, a number of blankets, two beds from the verandahs and tools from the washhouse, attached to the dwelling, were about the only other goods - moved from .he house before it was completely destroyed. Origin of Fire. M • Robert Rorbes stated that he was sure the fire in the kitchen was left quite safe when he went to bed. The only other explanation of the fire was that it was caused by a fault in the electric lighting or electric system but that was not thought likely. There was not the slightest suggest!-n that the house had been deliberately set fire to. A quantity of private papers were destroyed but there were no political decuments in the house. Mr Rorbert Forbes stated that he much appreciated the action of the neighbours in coming to his assistance “I don't know what would have happened if I had been sleeping inside,” he added. Mr Forbes spent the day at the home of Mr R. Sloss yesterday. TTie building is insured in the State Fire Office but Mr Forbes, Jun., was unable to state for what amount.