FIRE DESTROYS HOUSE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 102, 17 May 1937, Page 6

FIRE DESTROYS HOUSE

Building and Contents a Total Loss RIVERSLEA OUTBREAK A nine-roomed house in St. George 's road, near Riverslea, the property of Mr Edward Riley, snr.,' of Hastings, was completely destroyed by 'fire on Saturday night. The cause of the outhreak is unknown, for at the time the occupants were absent, being in Hastings for the evening. That anything was amiss was first noticed by Mr J. Aberhart, who lives opposite, shortly after nine o 'clock. At that hour the fire had a t>lg hold and ct was obvious that nothing could be done to stem the blaze, whieh was an unusually fierce one. The fiames were ^anned by the strong wind and were carried to a great height, attracting considerable attention over a wide area. Well within an honr all that Temained of the house and the contents were charred remains and debris, nothing at all being saved. The building was leased to Mr E. Riley, jnr., who shared the house with Mr and Mrs H. N. Atkinson and family. When they left shortly after six o 'clock everything appeared normal in the house, and they are unable to account for the outbreak. The house was insured in the Alliance Office for £750, and Mr and Mrs Atkinson had thedr furniture and personal effects covered for £200 in the Prudential Office. Mr Eiley, jnr., however, will be a loser to the extent of about £100, for he did not have the furniture ■ covered. A call was made upon the services of the Hastings Fire Brigade, but tne locality was well outside its area.