FIRE AT LYTTELTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6312, 9 August 1888, Page 3

FIRE AT LYTTELTON.

After a lapse of over fifteen months, the residents of Lyttelton were last night alarmed by the ringing of the firebell. For some reason, whioh speaks volumes for the carefulness of the residents of the Borough, fires occur there with less frequency, probably than in any other town in If ew Zealand. The whistle of the tug Lyttelton was the fi_*skalarmgiven,andthiswassoundedabout 10.46 p.m., and was immediately followed by the ringing of the firebell. The scene of the fire was on the old Governor's Bay road, juat over the bathing place in Sandy Bay, and about a mile from tho town. The Brigade turned out smartly, but as the Bcene was beyond command of the water sotvice, it was useless taking the reel, &c. Upon arrival in the vicinity the house on fire was found to be one owned and occupied by Mr J. Boothman, a signalman in the employ of the Railway. The fire had gained a complete hold of the building, and there was nothing to be done but to stand by and watch the flames in their course of destruction. Mr Boothman waa on duty, and his wife was the sole occupant at the time of the accident. Prom what can be gathered she was sitting in ono of the front rooms, Slid there wm a small fire in the kitchen. A piece of sheet iron had been placed in front of the kitohen fire to prevent any of the live coals falling out, a precaution always taken when the room was left. Mrs Boothman was startled by a smell of fire and smoke forcing its way into the room she occupied, and upon going into the kitchen found the mantle-piece on fire and the room full of smoke. She at once gave an alarm, bnt before assistance-could be obtained, the fire bad gained a- complete hold, and any attempt to save the bouse was useless. The nearest bouse was over 200 yards away, consequently there was no fear in that direction. The fire burnt rapidly, and before long the house waa totally destroyed. The insurance was .£175 on the bouse, and _£50 on the furniture, in the Victoria Office. This, however, does not nearly cover Mr Boofc_un__n*3 loss, as no effects of any description were saved.