FIRE AT KAIAPOI.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1200, 8 January 1878, Page 3

FIRE AT KAIAPOI.

On Monday, between three and four a.m. Mr Moran’s livery stables, on the block of buildings midway from Mr Burnip’s Hotel and the Oddfellows’ Hall, in the centre of the town, were discovered to be on fire. The alarm was given by Mr Moran, who slept at Burnip’s Hotel, in a room overlooking the stable, and who was roused by the strong glare. Mr Burnip immediately rang the fire hell. An examination of the burning building showed the body of fire to be in the loft, which contained hay, the (lames being fiercest near the steps into the stable. There were fortunately no horses in the stalls, and two in the loose boxes behind were easily brought out. Within five minutes the hand engine and members of the fire brigade were on the spot, and turned their attention to saving adjacent sheds as well as wetting the shingle roof of Mr Richards’s cottage, which was in imminent danger of igniting. The steam fire engine was promptly on the spot, and, its fire being lighted on the way from the station, steam was up in nine minutes. A welldirected supply of water speedily put an end to all danger of the fire spreading, to even the next two buildings, to which the stable was connected. There was a large muster of the public, many of whom rendered valuable assistance at the hand engine pump, and in removing property irom the building on fire, as well as from those threatened. Mr Superintendent Kekersly and Mr 'Fireman Smith had charge of the brigade, who worked manfully against the smoke driven on to them in the efforts to quench the fire. Mr Inspector Buckley and members of the police force, us well ng the members of the volunteer fire police, under Mr Porter (captain), were also present. In addition to the destruction of the stable, valued at £2OO, insured in the New Zealand Company for £IOO, Mr Moran’s loss in harness, hay, and oats was about £l5O. One or two sets of harness and all the buggies were saved. The origin of the fire has not been explained. By some it is thought to have originated in the hay from heating, Mr Moran, however, states that it was very dry, and his impression is that the fire originated from some tramp who had entered the stable and made a bed in the loft, but, on the other hand, the door was said to have been locked.