FIRE AT HIKUTAIA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4978, 24 May 1926, Page 2

FIRE AT HIKUTAIA.

DWELLING HOUSE DESTROTPED. SETTLER'S HEAVY LOSS. Shortly before 9 o’clock on Friday night the residence of Mr D. Maloney, Hikutaia, was destroyed by fire. It appears tha.t an overcoat was, hung over the back of some chairs to dry, when by some means the garment c, aught fire, and set alight the mantelpiece and woodwork rouiuj the chimney. This conflagration was quelled before any serious damage resulted. In the evening Mrs and her three children went to bed in the front of, the house, after leaving things in the kitchen apparently safe. Mr Maloney, who was under an engagement to .take a car load of people to the pictures at Paeroa, left his. residence about the time that his wife went to bed. There were also pictures being (screened at the Hikutaia Hall. It was during the interval that some young men who were standing outside the hall noticed smoke and flames issuing from the residence. The alarm was promptly given, and a number of willing people hastened to the scene. On reaching the house it was at once seen that there was no hope of saving it. Believing Mrs Ma,loney and the children had accompanied Mr Maloney to Paeroa, and that the house was unoccupied, .the settlers turned their attention to saving what, furniture and effects they could. Just when it was decided to abandon further efforts a human cry Was heard coming from one of the rooms' in the front of the house. This w£(s the first intimation received .that there w.as anyone in the building. Despite the intense heat and smoke Mrs Maloney and her children were rescued in an exhausted condition. , It appears that the family had had very little sleep the two previous nights owing to the gale, and being exhausted, they were soundly asleepwhen the fire broke out and would most certainly h.ave perished had ! the rescue not been effected.

Mr Maloney was later apprised of his loss by means of a notice thrown on the screen by the operator a«the Paeroa thea.tj’e, and he immediately left for Hikutaia. Other than a few articles of furniture nothing was saved, Mrs Maloney and the children escaping in tlhcir night attire. The residence wats insured for £5OO in the Royal Office. ‘