EARLY MORNING FIRE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 91, 4 May 1937, Page 6

EARLY MORNING FIRE

Two Dannevirke Shops Damaged INCENDIARiSM SUSPECTED A dangerous outbreak of fire in High street,. Dannevirke, caused the brigade to be summoned at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. The frontages of two shops, nearly opposite the Town Hall, were blazing furiously, and in the gale that was blowing the flames threatened to ignite other buildings. One of the shops is occupied by Mr Yep Choiig, a Chinese laundryman, and the other by Mr and Mrs K. Stevens. At the time Mr Chong was sleeping on his premises, and the other building, which haB four living rooms attached, was also occupied. Mr Chong was the first to realise that a fire was raging He scrambled out of - bed, seized a bucket of water, and flung it on the flames. Instead of dwindling, they mounted higher, and Mr Chong then called his neighbour, Mr H- F. Oatridge, to ring for the brigade. Mr Oatridge ran a garden hose through the wiffdow — which Mr Chong broke with his right hand, severely cutting it — and then telephoned for the brigade The fire-fighters were on the scene with great promptitude, and in. a matter of minutes the blaze was suppressed The block of buildings is insured for £2450, with the State Office. the cover on the cake shop being £375 and on the laundry £75. The cause of the fire has not definitely been discovered. Tncendiarism is a possibility. In a cavity between the two buildings, rlose to the footpath, was found soine sacking that bore traces of kerosene. The fact that the flames soared higher after the laundryman had throwr water on them may mean that the kerosene then ignited. being brought into contact with the fire by means of the water