FIRE AT HATAITAI.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1237, 20 September 1911, Page 5

FIRE AT HATAITAI.

FIVE HOUSES DESTROYED.

HARD FIGHT WITH THE FLAMES

IN A HOWLINQ QALE.

A groat glare in the ink-black eky abovo Hataitai at about half-past nine last night made it very evident to those in tho city that a big fire was iu progress in the suburb through the tunnel.

A short timo later three families were homeless: fivo houios had fallen before tho flames, and all that remained was a half-score- of brick chimneys.

The gale that was blowing so fiercely in Wellington generally was raging previously on tho heights; in fact, the wind in tho city was by comparison a calm. At times it was nearly impossible to walk or even stand against it. A worso night for a firo could hardly be.

Tho fire started in one of a block of buildings on the coiner of Arawa and Hataitai Roads, and. fanned by the gale, spread with fearful rapidity through tho building and on to the next dwelling. In a very little while tho five houses were ablaze, and the efforts of tho Pire Brigade to save them were of no avail. Jets of water on-such a fire seemed almost useless. When the fire was at its height tho heat was terrific, <md tho sparks were blown in showers of red rain to the hou6ea down the slopes.

By half-past ten the five dwellings had been completely wiped out, and tho brigade wero hard at tho long, weary task of putting the firo thoroughly out. Thero were still dangerous blazes here and there, and the torrent of sparks was yet

Four of the destroyed dwellings belonged to Messrs. Bird Bros., of tho Foresters' Arms Hotol, in Ghuznce Street. Tho Messrs. Bird are very heavy losers. Threo of the lurass were occupied, and one of tho two vac-ant places had only recently been vacated. Mr. H. Godfrey, a corporation employee, and Mr. P. O'Kane, a civil servant, were Messrs. Bird's tenants in two of their four properties. The other occupied house was owned and lived in by Mr. Robert Hall. Mr. Hall's place had not been completed any great length of time. Mr. Godfrey fared very badly, "I have hardly got a boot to uiy foot," ho remarked. Mr. O'Kano, too, is a heavy loser. ■ ■ .

Neighbours and friends were soon busy providing shelter for the men, women, and childi'cu, who had not so much as a roof to rest under on the wildest of wild nights. Everything was done to make them as comfortable as circumstances permitted.

The firo originated in the house occupied by Mr. O'Kane, and tho causo -is said to be the boiling over of some fat.