FIRE AT KARORI

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 252, 12 July 1918, Page 4

FIRE AT KARORI

TWO COTTAGES DESTROYED. Two cottages and their contents in Vera Street, Karori, .were destroyed by a fire which occurred at alwnt 1.30 o'clock yesterday morning, and a third houso had a very narrow escape. The outbreak originated in a cottage of iivo rooms, owned by Mrs. Dyer, of Roluna, Hamilton, and 'occupied by Mrs. Hayward and relatives, including Mr. Harold Hart (son-in-law) and' Mrs. Hart (daughter). Tho alarm was given by Mr. Thomas Hnyward, who states that when lie retired there was only a little firo in the register grate. Some of the inmates had difficulty in making their escape. At the time a strong north-west wind was blowing, and the blaze quickly spread to the adjoining cottage, owned by Mr. Harold W. Brown, and occupied by Mr. Richard Simpson. This place was also burned to the ground. Tho absence of a properly-organised and effi-ciently-equipped fire-fighting force at Knrori was responsible for considerable difficulty being experienced in euppre.-s----ing the flames, and only the arduous efforts of a hastily-improvised bucket brigade prevented the fire from adding serious damage to a Ihird house in the row, owned and occupied by Mr. Thomas M'lvolvie. Ono 'of tho walls of Mr. M'Kelvio's dwelling was scorched, and tho furniture suffered somewhat through removal. Mrs. Haywnrd's furniture was insured in tho United Office for ,£2OO, and Mr. Hart's furniture was covered for rfilOO. r L lig contents of ilio cottage in which Mr. Simpson reside wcro not insured II is believed that th* two destroyed cottages were insured, but the amounts of the policies ana tho names of tho insurance companies concerned have not yet been ascertained.