FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5280, 10 June 1895, Page 4

FIRE.

AT RANGIORA..

A few minotes before ten o'clock on Saturday night flames were observed breaking through the roof of a dwellinghouaa in High Street, Rangiora, next to the Institute Hall, belonging to Mr J. Palmer, blacksmith. The owner and his family were away in Christchurch, the former having left early in the afternoon. The brigade tnrned out emnrtly with their manual and steam engine, and a jet of water from the hand engine was soon available, but the steamer did not get to work until twenty minutes later owing to the leather valves in the pump being out of order. When it started the water pressure instoad of being 80 or 901 b to the square inch was but SOib, and only one jet could be utilised. The place must have been burning for a considerable time before the flames showed outside, and as the fire had complete mastery of the building by the time the brigade arrived* nothing could be done to save it. Handicapped as the brigade was by the failure of the steamer, it nevertheless did good work in saving a dwelling on the west side of the burning building owned by Mr L. Hunnibell, and ocoupied by Mr F. Gulliver as a private boarding-hcuße j and also a shop but three feet from the fire belonging to Mr Palmer and occupied by Mr Felton, bootmaker, whose stock was removed. Mr HuanibeU's house caught fire several times, and the fire police, who were present in full force under Captain Roberta, promptly, carried out Mr Gulliver's ohildren and cleared the place of the furniture. Mr Palmer's blacksmith's Bhop, which Btood close to the back of the house, was partially destroyed, and hia wheelwright's Bhop was also damaged. The Institute Hall was in danger, but the night being calm, the brigade kept complete command of the fire on that side. The insurances are: Mr Palmer's house .£2OO in the Royal Office, furniture J875 in the Norwich Union, blacksmith's shop and tools £50 in the Victoria Company, probable damage to the full value of the risk ; Bhop occupied by Mr Felton £50 in the Victoria, damage about £15 ; Mr Hunnibell's house £400 in the New Zealand Company, damage about £60 or £70. The Institute Hall risk of £1000 is also in the New Zealand Office. The cause of the fire is unknown. .