FIRES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10440, 20 April 1912, Page 7

FIRES.

[Pur Pkbss Association.] MASTERTON, April. 20. A six-roomed houso in Wrigby Street, owned and occupied by Mr H. H. Wimsett, was- destroyed by fire early this morning. Almost all the contents were destroyed and the occupier had a narrow escape, getting out through ft window. The building was insured for £250 in the Northern Office and the furniture for £IOO in the South British. A call wa3 received at 10.50 a.m. this morning to the new -building in course of erection at the corner of Cashel and High Streets. Two employees of tho Gas Company had. been connecting up u two-inch gaspine in tho basement, using a kerosene " hurricane " lamp, when the escaping gas was ignited, causing a slight explosion. Tho men wore somewhat burnt about the face and arms. Tho gas remained burning from the two-inch pipe, and there was no stop-cock to shut it off. The flames spread out over the ceiling, which consisted of plaster and expanded metal, but the brigade played water on the ceiling and kept the woodwork above from igniting. Eventually a hole was dug and the piping disconnected some distance from the blazing gas, and tho pipe was successfully plugged. There was no great damage done.