FIRE AT TURUA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5234, 3 February 1928, Page 2

FIRE AT TURUA.

EARLY MORNING OUTBREAK. FARMHOUSE DESTROYED. The fourth fire in the Turua district within nine days occurred e<arly on Wednesday morning, when the home of' Mr E. A. Clark, on th® Turua.-Netherton road was completely destroyed, with most of its contents. Mr Clark was awakened at 3.20 a.mby his, alarm clock. He slowly, and concluded that the light he saw under his bedroom door was that being used by his son. However, on opening the door he found the kitchen in flames. It was obvious that thei fire had too firm a hold to be extinguished, so after putting his son out of a window he commenced to remove f.urniture, but was soon driven from the house. Fifteen minutes lalter the roof fell. It is thought that the fire was caused by an electric grill being left switched on all night, as it seemed to be the centre of the. fire When first noticed.

Mr Clark prevented the fire spreading to the wash-house, and neighbours who arrived later beat out thq burning grass round the house. The house was a well-made building of five large rooms,"and was insured, but the insurance on the furniture was small. The furniture saved was of little value.

Mr Clark has been dogged with bad luck of late. He was in hospital for three months in the spring, and his» wife has beqn in the hospital for nearly three months with rheumatic fever. ’ 1