FIRE AT NEVIS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1268, 18 June 1886, Page 2

FIRE AT NEVIS.

The residence of Mr William Master*, J.P., at Nevis, was totally destroyed, with its contents, by fire on Sunday morning. From particulars s supplied ns. (‘Cromwell Argus') it appears that the fire occurred about 10 o'clock, and gained a hold so speedily that little or nothing could be saved. The hoiu« was occupied by VI p Masters and family, including his brother, Mr Charles ■.Masters. The latter states that he left the building shortly after nine o’clock, and after going some little distance and looking back he saw smoke issue from the house and heard the children screaming. Sunning back ho found the building com* pletely on fire. Mr# Masters and six chil 1ren were in the honso when the fire broke ont.and hardly had time to escape wi*h what they stood in, so quickly did the place fill with smoke. A strong wind was blowing at the time and the building was soon a mass of flame, Mr W. Masters was in the stable some yards off. at the time and not withs: .ending ihe joint exertions of himself and brother, all that cnnld he saved was a pair of blankets, a looking glass, and a few small articles. The house was of five rooms 1 nilt of wood and i r on. It had one stone chimney, and a stove with pipe through roof. Thera was a registered grate in the sitting room, and the fire is believed tn have originated in the ceiling of tlvs room. The family were in the kitchen and hednv m at the time the children getting dressed for the day. They lost most of their clothing. The house was insured in the New Zealand Co,’s office for £175, but Mr Masteis estimates his loss at fnily 1,100 over this amount. A supply of winter stores to the value of 1.50 had jnst been laid in. In a cold bleak region like Nevis, the calami’y of being burned out of house and home is more than ordinarily bitter expperienee, but Mr Masters’ family received the most hospitable shelter tbo place can off >rd until their removal to Creme ell is < (footed.