FIRES

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1932, Page 6

FIRES

OCCUPANTS OF HOUSE

ESCAPE IN NIGHT ATTIRE

MASTERTON, May 16

Roused by the coughing of his daughter in another bedroom, T. -Hanley, a Post and Telegraph employee residing at Solway, in the early hours of this morning awakened to find hi® house full of smoke. He hurriedly roused his wife and family, who .escaped in their night attire. The flames had a strong hold, and as no water was available the house was completely destroyed, together with all its contents. The Masterton Fire Brigade was not summoned, as the. locality 'is out of its area. The fire is believed to have originated in the sitting-room, where there 'were the remains of a fire which, however, appeared to he safe when Hanley retired. -v

A NARROW ESCAPE

homestead destroyed

HASTINGS,;' May' 16.

residence" of Mr John MeCartin, a well-known farmer on the Argyll road, Otane, was completely destroyed byfive. .at. 5,45 morning. The occupants escaped fin their night attire. Mr MeCartin hud only recently made extensive improvements to his home and has lost everything.,./ ... ... . ’ 'tlVe' flahies, the' c 6i'igin‘ of which is nottknown, were first discovered by a maid, who woke to find the house, almost completely enveloped. . She promptly aroused the rest of the household:. who made a hurried "exit through windows not a moment too soon. They had an exceedingly narrow escape. Particulars of the insurances are not known.