DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17841, 14 October 1929, Page 8

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

OUTBREAK AT KAWHIA.

STORE AND BILLIARD SALOON. OCCUPANT'S ' NARROW ESCAPE. KAWHIA, Sunday. A large two-storey building owned and occupied by Mr Rex Nesbit was destroyed by fire about three o'clock this morning. Mr Nesbit, the only occupant at the time, was sleeping upstairs, and was aroused by the intense heat. Opening the door he found the stairway in flames. Seizing a suitcase containing money and a few articles of clothing he escaped by means of the window, making his way from the verandah to the ground. The premises were used as a store and billiard saloon. They were soon a seething mass of flames. They were situated in the main street of Kawhia, directly opposite the Bank of New Zealand and Hotel Tainui, which were threatened owing to a light easterly wind.

Everything was done to save the adjacent buildings, which included Mr J. P. Robinson's motor garage. Several cars were quickly removed, and a bucket brigade was organised. Fortunately the wind veered to the north with approaching daylight, removing anxiety regarding the hank and the boarding-house. Telegraph posts in the vicinity continued to burn for some time, but finally they were extinguished. Mr Nesbit was extremely fortunate to escape with his life. He is a heavy loser, it is understood that the building and contents were insured for £I3OO, comprising building £650, stock £350, and three billiard tables for £IOO each.

The telephone service was disorganised as the result of lusecl wires. A party of linesmen is expected to-mor-row to effect repairs.

BLAZE AT NGARUAWAHIA. A HOUSE DESTROYED. (Special to Times.) NGARUAWAHIA, Monday. At about one o’clock on Sunday morning a five-roomed house belonging to the Clayton estate was totally destroyed by lire. The dwelling was empty, as it had been unoccupied lor a short period, and the lire had a good hold before the alarm was given. We understand that the property was covered by some insurance. Ngaruawahia lias been unfortunate in having had so many fires in the last two years.