DWELLING DESTROYED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4935, 5 February 1926, Page 2

DWELLING DESTROYED.

MR. JOHN MORRISON’S HOME.

CONFLAGRATION AT NETHERTON.

Mr. John Morrison’s/ seven-roomed residence on Awaiti Road, Netherton, was totally destroyed by fire shortly after 3 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon.

It appears .that Mrs Morrison had had a fire burning in the kitchen range all the morning. After dinner sihe completed washing up the dishes, and, leaving the fire as she thought safe, went oj.it to the wash-house, which is. situated about half a chain distant from the dwelling, .to do some washing. Coming out of the washhouse some time later she was - horrified to observe heavy smoke and flames issuing from the dwelling. With the assistance of some neighbours a valiant attempt was made to salvage some of the contents! of the building, hut the heat and smoke would not permit much of this being done.

A Owing -to the absence of a sufficient water supply, and .the flames being fanned by a stiff westerly wind, the house was soon razed to the ground. It is understood that there was no insurance on the furniture and contents, but the house was covered by a policy for £550 in .the South British Insurance Co.

Mr Morrison was in Paeroa at the time of the outbreak. From information available the fire appears- to have originated in the kitchen, but a careful examination of the chimney does not disclose any defect. The ignition of a cloth used to open the oven door when hot is) thought possibly to have caused the outbreak. i