DISASTROUS FIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1014, 2 January 1911, Page 6

DISASTROUS FIRE.

MANGAWEKA BLOCK DESTROYED. A NATIVE BURNT TO DEATH. At twenty minutes to eleven o'clock on Thursday night last Jlangaweka was the scene of a disastrous fire, which destroyed the two-storied boardinghouse known as tho City Central, occupied by Mr. Thomas Burgess, and owned by Sirs. T. O'Sullivan, together with tho two adjoining fruit and plumber's shops and llr. T. Finn's solicitor's office (says the Jlangaweka "Settler"). Within a few, moments of tho' alarm being given those residing in the immediate vicinity wero on tho scene. From the first, owing to the lack of water and fire extinguishing appliances it was apparent the fire had gained too great a hold to admit of tho building being saved. A ruslu was then made to invade the building and . rouse those inmates who happened to be in bed. Owing to the holiday season tho house was lull of boarders, and it was only by courageous efforts in the face of smoke and heat that the occupants were dragged from their beds, most of them escaping with little more than they had. on when they retired. ■ The fire spread with lightning-like rapidity, although there was scarccly a breath of wind. At first it was thought everyone had been safely removed from - tho doomed building; but on going through the list of boarders it was discovered that a young Maori named Eewiti Peehi Akapita, who had arrived by the D.30 train, was missing. By this time it was too late to renew the search as tho building was ii roaring mass ,of flames, and the top story had fallen in. The suspense was of short duration, for at the spot where his room had been located his charred remains were seen on »n iron bedstead, his head lying slightly over the side. The attitude of tho body gave the impression that the poor fellow had been suli'oeated with smoke before the fire reached lii's room.

Deceased was a shearer, known as "Dave." It is said that it was his intention to have left tho train at Ohingaiti, hut he. over-slept himself and was carried on to Jlangaweka. After, engaging a bed he told Mr. Burgess he would return to Ohinga'iti by the first train in the morning. , > ' By this time the lieat had become almost unbearable,, and its effect upon business places opposite caused apprehension as to their safety. Fortunately a large crowd of. willing workers - wero in dence, a bucket brigade was formed, aiid a- hazardous fight was being waged to savo'the adjoining buildings. ,Time after time different premises wero alght, but the efforts of the bucket brigade kept the fire in check on the north side, and at last the walls of the boardinghouse on this side collapsed, and further danger was aVerted. Attention was then directed to the southern end of the burning building, whero the fire had spread to tho adjoining fruit and confectionery, shop of Jlr. Burgess, and also to Mr. Waugh's, tinsmith. These were rapidly consumed. Mr. Finn's office then took fire, and matters again looked serious. It was considered the new two-story shop and dwelling of Mr. Stewart would go, and then there could be no chance of saving the Langholm Hotel block. However, just in. tho nick of time, a'gust of wind sprang up from tho south and carried the spark 9 and flame away from tho threatened building. About, this time; tho outer wall of Jlr. Finn's office fell. With this latter building qut of the way, all danger of the. fire spreading was at an end. The .whole -of the business .premises on the opposito' side' of tlie' firo' wero considerably damaged by heat, and nearly all the windows were cracked or broken; The following is a list of, the insurances'as far as were ascertainable:— Boardinghouse, .£3OO in tho Standard; Burgee's furniture, .£l5O in tho Alliance, and .£4O on the piano in the Alliance; shop (destroyed), cottage (damaged), and stables, JC3SO in the Alliance. No insurance on the furniture in the cottage. F. Stewart (Finn's, office), J320 in the Royal' Exchange- Mrs. Cameron had .£250 in the Royal Office on ..the premises occupied by the New Zealand Loan and. Jlercantile and Jlr. Tartalini. Jlr. M'Neill had .£-10 on furniture and stock in tho Commercial Union. An inquest was held on Friday afternoon, before District Coroner P.Aldridge, .on the remains of the Jtaori, Eewiti Peehi Aka'pita, who lost his life in the fire. After hearing evidence the following verdict wa9 returned: That the deceased met his death by burning in' the City Central Boardinghouse on the night of December 29.