A FIRE ON SEATOUN HEIGHTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 936, 1 October 1910, Page 5

A FIRE ON SEATOUN HEIGHTS.

NO BRICADE, NO WATER. BOY SCOUTS TO THE RESCUE. A sis-roomed house : on Seatoun Heights, Miramar, occupied by Mr. John M'Cale, and owned .by the Miramar Building and Investment Society. Ltd., was totally destroyed 'by fire last evening. Mr. M'Cale. who is employed in town, at the King's Chambers, was away from home at the time. ' Mrs. M'Cale, it appears, had gone out to purchase one or two household articles, taking her two young children with her, and leaving something for tie evening meal cooking on the store. They had not been long away when .they, saw' flames coming from thejhouee. but ere they could - reach the spot the whole dwelling was one huge bonfire. Some of the neighbours also saw the flames, which appeared to issue at first from the southern end of:the house, and to travel' quicklj- towards the north. Nobody arrived in time to save any of the contents of the house, and as there is no water supply at- Miramax, nothing could be done to extinguish the flames. The City , Fire Brigade not oven go out, and there is no fire brigade in tho borough.;'; ' ,Vv;- '. h' ' v;:;

The local patrol of Boy Scouts rose to the occasion. They were holding a meeting not far off, when tbey became aware of the fire. Mh' M'Leod,' ActingScoutmaster, quickly set them to work, I to beat , out any fires that might be started by sparks in the '.grass. or:scrub, to ring up various parties, and to watch for eventualities, ■ and malie ffleSnselves generally useful. A. boisterous northerly wind . was blowing,; and this not only hastened the destruction of the house, but caused fears for: the safety of the nest Tone, which is occupied by Mr. H. Eowntree, and is situated; about one hundred yards to the southward. ; r Some of' the sparks were carried far beyond it. . . :The fire was first noticed about 7.50 p.m.," and within a few minutes of-that time it .had lit up : tho clouds :in that part of the' sky with a'ruddy ' glare, which,) being seen from all parts of the city, gave rise to considerable speculation and many wild rumours- Mr. M'Cale and his family moved into the house' only a week ago.. . : Itis understood that' - the ' furniture was insured. Tho building was insured by ; the owners, but particulars were not available last night.-...■ .■ .