A FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1929, Page 6

A FIRE

5 W‘ OUTBREAK at; MARisir-u- ---* A' -. ■ MMok. •' ‘ V- •' 1 (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) 5 ,• . NAPIER, July 30." Fire completely gutted two wine cellars .qt; the Mount St. Many’s -Mission Station, Greeiimeadows, four miles . froni Napier, to-n ight,- i\nd destroyed nearly 24,000 gallons. The Napier Fire Brigade was called to the scene about 7.30, half ah hour after the outbreak, but the task was a hopeless one from the beginning. The only water to be had was from a creek three hundred yards away from the seat of the outbreak. The flames had suc-h a hold when the brigade began operations that; all attempts proved fruitless, and attention was successfully turned to the saving of an adjoining building. ■■ The outbreak is believed ,to have had its beginning in the fusing of an electric wire in the ceiling of one of the cellars. The flames, consumed the roof which collapsed and then the barrels, holding the wire took fire. When barrels of wine burst out, it formed a stream that flowed out to the roadways. A quantity of the wine was bottled and cased, and the straw led the flames. It is understood that the insurances on the buildings and wine which are held by the united Office will not nearly cover the loss. The Mission is conducted by the Marist Fathers -which is well-known for its grape growing and wine manufacturing. *•