FIRE AT ASHWICK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21280, 25 February 1939, Page 8

FIRE AT ASHWICK

Residence Destroyed

Tenant Absent In Hospital

Good Work by Farmer

FAIRLIE. February 24.

Fire at Ashwick Flat this afternoon completely destroyed a fiveroomed residence, and but for prompt action of one man. would almost certainly have spread to the Ashwick School, to the school house, and further afield.

The house was the property of Mr D. D. Grant, now of Scotland, and the tenant was Mrs G. M. Symes, who has been a patient in the Timaru Hospital for five weeks.

As the house had been unoccupied for so long a period, the origin of the fire has not been found. A neighbouring farmer. Mr B. Jones, was cutting oats about a mile away when he noticed the fire, and with an employee. D. Joyce, went to investigate. Even though the day was excessively hot they were able to prevent the spread of the fire, through gorse and dry grass to the plantation, school house and the school.

Mr Jones left Joyce to guard the fire and went for assistance. Including members of the Fairlie Volunteer Brigade, ultimately 30 men were on the scene and the manual fire engine was put into operation. How the fire had been stopped was almost incredible, and the engine was used to extinguish the debris in case of wind. The residence was called “Cabuie,” and was built by the late Mr David Harvey shortly after tne Ashwick Flat Settlement was ballotted in June 1883. So far as could be ascertained, it is very doubtful if the house and effects were insured. Mrs Symes will be a heavy loser ar she left all her belongings in the house when she was removed to hospital. The School and School House were empty owing to the teacher being absent at the refresher course in Timaru.