FIRE AT PAEROA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4585, 11 July 1923, Page 2

FIRE AT PAEROA.

DWELLING AND CONTENTS DESTROYED. " Yesterday afternoon at about 3.30 o’clock the firebell rang out its peal. The fire brigade soon assembled, but after going a short distance up the street it was discovered that the seat of '.the fire was too far off, and, further, although the water supply was on, the hose would be of no use, as the supply was not great enough. A number of the firemen were then motored out to the fire, which was about a mile along the old Paeroa-Te Aroha road.

The building, which was owned and occupied by Mrs Emily White, wife of Mr J. White, letter-carrier, contained eight rooms, and by the time the brigade arrived on the scene the building was doomed, as was also the contents. Nothing was saved, and the high wind that was prevailing at the time made exceedingly short work once the fire got a hold. The insurances were £4OO on the dwelling, £l5O on furniture, and £75 on a piano.

Just what was the cause of the outbreak Mrs White is at a loss to know. During the afternoon she had, been, doing some washing in a spare room, which was rather dark, and she had a candle burning, but this was some hours before the fire wa,s first noticed. Just before the fire was discovered Mrs White was at her gate, which is only a short distance away, talking to her sister, who had just arrived. When they proceeded into the house they discovered it to be on Are. Although willing hands were soon on the scene the flames spread so rapidly that nothing was saved. The house and furniture are a total loss, and Mr and Mrs White will be heavy losers, as the values far exceed the cover by insurance.