SPECTACULAR FIRE AT BULLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 19, 24 January 1939, Page 10

SPECTACULAR FIRE AT BULLS

SUNDAY SCHOOL DESTROYED (Own Correspondent.) BULLS, Jan. 23. Shortly after 10 p.m. on Sunday a fire was discovered in the old Anglican School building in Parewanui Road, Bulls, and in a very short space of time the structure, which was roofless, was blazing from end to end, flames rising to a great height, and the glare being visible many miles away. With no chance of saving the school, Bulls not possessing a water supply, the bucket brigade concentrated on preventing the conflagration spreading to the adjoining residence of Mr. H. W. Stevens, in Bridge Street. Had the latter house ignited the fire might have spread further, with widespread and disastrous results.

Trees and litter of undergrowth and rubbish at the rear of the school made the fire-fighters’ task more arduous, but after about an hour and a-half of hard toil, Mr. Stevens’ residence was fairly safe, though the smouldering embers of dry totara beams required attention throughout the night. Had the wind of the past week been blowing it is probable that half a dozen houses would have been involved, with little chance of any being saved. The school, which was erected many years ago, was a substantial structure, and was recently purchased by Mrs. F. J. Mansell, whose son, Mr. J. J. Mansell, intended to dismantle it and build a wool shed from the material, on his farm in Brandon Hall Road. The iron roof was removed some days ago, and a start was to have been made on the rest of the building on Tuesday. It is understood that there was no insurance. Great credit is due to the firelighters, who spared no effort to prevent. the fire spreading. Young men, workers at the Ohakea airport and on public works, grafted manfully, and were assisted by business people and others. Mr. Stevens’ furniture was removed to the street, and was afterwards replaced. A large crowd gathered and remained at the fire until well after midnight, when the position was seen to be comparatively safe.