STAFFORD NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1922, Page 4

STAFFORD NEWS.

(Our own Correspondent.) .SERIOUS FIRE DAMAGE. About mid-day to-day (Thursday) some gorse on the southern hank ol the AN'aimea Creek was tired, mid in a tew minutes the side of tlie terrace opposite tile Post Office was a raging mass of llames. 11l all incredibly short space of time the strong north east wind then blowing carried the tile onwards to Pipers Flat and set Mr V. J. Pfeifer’s house ablaze. Mrs Pfeifer -had barely time to escape from the burning building with her baby ere her comfortable dwelling and all its contents were reduced to ashes. All tho old workings at Pipers are covered with a forest of gorso and once on lire no human effort could stop the llames from spreading.

For a. time the residences of Messrs Siinivaii, Merewethor, and Toomey were in mreut danger, but all escaped excepting a cmvshed the property of .\lr Sullivan, with some hay stored therein, was consumed. I understand that Mr Pfeifer’s house was insured for a small amount, but tin* loss of clothing, piano, furniture etc., will be heavy. Friday Morning. During the fire yesterday afternoon some sparks must have lodged on the dry timber of Mr Sullivan’s house at Pipers, as about 10 p.m. Miss Sullivan discovered that the partition between

the kitchen and front part of the house was on fire. Fortunately it was discovered in time and was put out and the liouije saved.