Fire at Ruatapu.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1922, Page 1

Fire at Ruatapu.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. At 1.30 a.m. on Saturday, the inhabitants of Ruatpu were rudely awakened by the hooting of the Mill whittle, , giving short intermittent blasts, de- , noting fire. It became apparent from ' the glare that the fire had a good hold before the alarm was given, and it was at once sfcen that a dwelling : house fronting the yfiaiil road was doomed. The house was occupied by Air J. L. Turner and his wife and family and so fierce was the conflagration which evidently started in the rear of the house that the occupants escaped in their night attire not one minute too soon. A willing band of workers was speedily on the scene and a fire hose from the adjacent sawmill was laid down, although not of sufficient length to ploy on the fire. By means of this hose a good supply.of water was brought to within easy distance of the fire and a I bucket brigade was soon under way. Right early it was seen that any at--1 tempt to save the building in which the fire started would be futile and all attention was paid to saving the house Oh the leeward side, situated 40 feet distant. So fierce was the conflagration that within a quarter of an hour of the alarm being given the rc of of the burning house fell in and the walls of the adjacent house were on fire. At one .period it appeared as if the ' whole of the houses on the leeward side j of the burning one were doomed as a considerable wind was blowing at the time and whilst one party was engaged saving the house immediately adjacent to the fire another party was giving their attention to cutting off the iiext succeeding house. 'Chiefly owing to the daring work of a party who climbed on the roof of the second house and were there supplied with a plentiful supply of water the second house was saved fro • the second house was saved from further damage than one wall burnt. Mr Turner the occupant of the destroyed house is a heavy loser for although there is some insurance on the contents of the house it is not sufficient to cover the loss. The building was owned by Butler Bros., Ltd., and is one of those on the Rualapu road facing company’s sawmill. These houses have recently been overhauled and renovated and to-day in the middle of what was yesterday an attractive street there is a gap containing a heap of smouldering ashes and twisted iron. It woyjd not do to neglect to say that the hospitality of the township 1 were placed at the disposal of Airs and Airs Turner and their daughter.