SECOND EDITION. THE MASTERTON FIRE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13423, 10 July 1911, Page 7

SECOND EDITION. THE MASTERTON FIRE.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. (Per United Press Association.) MASTERTON, July 10. One of the most destructive tires recorded in this district occurred at the Masterton Racing Club's course at Opaki between 1 and 2 o’clock yesterday morning, and resulted in nearly the whole of the building being consumed by the flames. The outbreak was first observed by Mr V. Compton, who, with a mate, occupied a whare on Messrs J. and A. J. Welch’s property, Willow Park. The glare of the fire through the windows of his bedroom woke Compton up, and, on looking outside, he and his mate discovered the totalizator house in flames. The conflagration had such a hold that they were unable to do anything. The flames quickly spread, and in a very short space of time the totalizator house, stewards’ stand, inside grandstand, the booth, the stewards’ room, tea kiosk, press room, secretary’s office, weighing-in room, jockey’s room, and a > row of loose-boxes had been reduced to aohes. The only buildings left standing are the people’s stand and the judge’s box. The buildings were valued at about A4OOO, and were only covered by A’ 1100 insurance, the risks being held by the North British office. The officials of the club, the local agent of the insurance company, and the police visited the course yesterday morning, and maAa an inspection of the damage done. The investigation pointed to The fire having been caused by an incendiary, as there is evidence that a lire had been set in the people’s stand, burning a hole through the floor and charring the scantling and lining. This fire was fortunately disf covered by Mr A. Watson, who went to ' the course early in the morning to work his racehorse. Mr Watson found the door of the stand open. It had apparently been broken open with a heavy piece of wood, and- he saw smoke issuing from the building. He immediately put the fire out, and on making an inspection discovered that one of the windows had been opened, thus causing a draught, which would eventually fan the flames. The matter has been placed in the hands of the police, and it is probable an inquest will be held for the purpose of determining how the fire originated.