SPECTACULAR FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1930, Page 5

SPECTACULAR FIRE

CHILDRENS NARROW ESCAPE.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, October 15. Three young children had an exceedingly narrow escape from death in a tire which destroyed two houses in Ponsonbv early this 'morning. The houses were of three storeys and both were unoccupied, but at the back was an occupied bouse in two flats, and thi s caught fire. The top flat was occupied by a family named Rabbidge, the father, mother, and three children .under"four years. Two girls returning from a dance noticed the fire, and rushed into the verandah and beat on the windows of the front room, awakening Rabbidge and bis wife, who immediately rushed to the back room for the children. AVhen the children were snathee-d from their beds the flames were licking along the plaster boards and the room was full of choking smoke. the fire was a spectacular one, and was watched by hundreds.

The two unoccupied 1 houses were owned by Mrs I. Bennett and insured for £BOO. The third house, which was gutted, was owned by Air Field and insured for £l,lOO.