FIRE IN WAKEFIELD STREET

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 641, 31 January 1872, Page 2

FIRE IN WAKEFIELD STREET

SUPPOSED INCENDIAEISM.

At a quarter past ten last night Mr John Cartwright's house in Wakefield street was discovered to be on fire. No one was in the house at the time, Mr Cartwright's family being away at the Thames, and Mr Cartwright had been during the evening to the Engineers' parade, and remained in some of the volunteers' company until the firebells rang. The house was soon all in a blaze, but not before Detective Joffery had discovered some matches and a man's hat lying close to tho back door, which was broken open. Carfcwright had locked up the house in the afternoon, and had the keys in his pocket. The fire engine under Superintendent Asher arrived ten minutes after the alarm was given, but did not play. The adjoining house, belonging to Mr McCaul, inhabited by Mrs Duff, was in great danger, and even took fire in several places ; but owing to the praiseworthy exertions of some neighbours whose names we should record did we know them, the house was saved, their position on the roof in laying wet blankets and pouring water down was perilous in the.extreme and intensely hot, but they did not flinch. The house on fire was fortunately a detached one; it was for about ten minutes a livid mass of flames, and the heat on the opposite side of the wide road was unbearable. The roofs of the houses opposite were well looked after by their occupants, who for lack of water swept the sparks that alighted off with brooms^ and so saved the houses from igniting. A good breeze was blowing at the time from the S.E., and two currents of air meeting opposite the doomed house, caused several whirlwinds of countless sparks in succession. By a quarter to eleven the premises were reduced to a few burning embers and ashes. Not a stick of property was saved, and Mr Cartwright was not insured. It is a remarable circumstance that the premises formed the ground of an action with the occupier, a few days ago, at the Supreme Court, which he lost, and was ordered to deliver up possession of the premises in 21 days. He was preparing to do so. He has since beea apprehended on a charge of arson, and was brought up at the Police Court this morning and remanded.