SERIOUS FIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20433, 25 February 1938, Page 8

SERIOUS FIRE

LOCKER BIE HOMESTEAD BIG MORRINSVILLE BLAZE OCCUPANTS’ HURRIED EXIT (Special to Times) MORRINSVILLE, Friday Breaking out without warning about 2 o’clock this morning, fire totally destroyed the old Lockerbie homestead, situated on a hill overlooking Morrinsville, about a mile from the town. The origin of the fire is not known, but the old building burned quickly and fiercely, being completely razed within an hour. The occupants, Mr and Mrs F.. A. Death, and their two sons and daughter, were awakened by the roar of flames and were able to save only some personal effects, the furniture being destroyed. Well-known Landmark The homestead, which was butlt between 4 0 and 50 years ago, was a well-known landmark in the district. It was built when the whole of Morrinsville and its environs was included In the Lockerbie Estate of 30,000 acres, owned by the late Messrs T. and S. Morrin. The homestead was for two declades a popular meeting-place for the Waikato Hunt when the hounds visited Morrinsville. The present owner of tlie homestead property is Mr D. T. Davies, of Morrinsville. As the house is outside the Morrinsville borough boundary, the fire could not be attended by the Morrinsville fire brigade, but it is stated, however, that the fire swept through the old wooden building at great speed, the outbreak having completely destroyed the house within an hour. No damage was done to outbuildings or stock. The house, it is stated, is insured with the New Zealand Insurance Company, and the furniture with the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, but details are not available.