DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 9893, 25 January 1911, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

AT LANSDOWNE.

LARGE GOODS SHED DESTROYED.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE

An outbreak of fire was discovered at the rear of a large goods shed belonging to Mr Hugh Williams, of Lansdowne, soon after mid-day today. The alarm was immediately given, but, owing to the distance to be traversed, the fire was beyoud control when the Brigade . arrived, aud they confined their efforts to protecting the hometead, which was in immediate danger owins to the dry trees and grass. On discovering the fire, which started in some dry grass, the workmen commenced to remove the goods from the shed, but were only able to save oue or two vehicles, be' sides some benzine (which was removed at great risk), when the heat proved too great, and the workmen were forced to retire.

On the arrival of the_ Brigaaa with the Jubilee engine, the building was'l* a blazing furnace, and all hope of saving the building was abandoned. fl Mr Williams will be a heavy loser, for besides a large quantity of stores ready packed to be transferred to Te Parae and Brancepeth, Mr Williams had a large quantity of wine which had been taken from his vineyards stored in the buildings, and large quantities of empty bottles, which, on becoming heated, exploded with terrific reports.

Tho residence, which is about twenty yards from the building, was in great danger, for a time, owing to a wind springing up and carrying the fire through the trees aud grass towards it, but the Brigade, assisted by numbers of spectators and aided by wet sacks, succeeded in beating out the flames.

The pressure obtainable was good, owing to the drop from the works direct to the scene of the fire, but the hose at the disposal of the workmen was quite inadequate to cops with the outbreak, and on the Brigade's arrival it was impossible to get within good reach of the fire, and it was with extreme difficulty -a that they were enabled to get the jj water to the far side of the burning building.

The road in the vicinity was strewn with bicycles, and the fences lined witli hatless and coatless spectators, who had run post-haste to trie scene of the fire. The beat was so great that several bicycle tyres exploded, and the firemeu nearest the fire were forced to cover themselves with wet sacks, aud the mauuer in which they fought the flames is worthy of praise.

When we went to press the lire was still smouldering, and was beiug watched by a number of men. It is estimated that the Joss will run well into three figures; among the articles totally destroyed being a quantity of furniture stored in the cellar of the building. A quantity of tbe furniture was placed there only this iroruing.

We were nor able this afternoon to ascerrain tiie amount of the insurances, but it is understood that Mr Williams will lose to the extent of some hundreds of pounds.