FIRE IN PAEROA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5433, 10 June 1929, Page 2

FIRE IN PAEROA.

BRIGADE’S GOOD SAVE. DAMAGE TO ONE ROOM. A fire occurred in Paeroa on Friday evening which might have reached serious proportions had it not been for the quickness of the local fire brigade in getting on the scene. It was one of its best stops on record. The alarm bell was rung at 9.30 o’clock by Mr E. Edwards, chairman of the Borough Council Fire Committee, and in the matter of a few minutes the Brigade was away. Through not having the regulation fire syren as laid down by law, and only being provided with a horn of the usual type, a collision was narrowly averted on turning into Belmont Road when a fast-travelling motorcar, which in the ordinary course of events would have had the right of way, was just missed. On arrival at the scene it was found to be a house in Belmont Road owned by Mr S. Rowbottom, of Auckland, and occupied by Mr F. Pivott. The flames had a good grip of the front room, and were spouting pretty well when the brigade drew up, but by their prompt turn-out the firemen soon had the conflagration under control, confining the damage to the room it started in. Heavy rain made the brigade’s work one of great discomfort. How the fire started is a mystery. Mr Pivott’s wife and family were out at the time, but he and another occupant of the house, Mr E. Lee, who are both bakers, were already abed. Mr Pivott heard something fall in the front room, but paid no attention to it as he thought it was Mrs Pivott returning and knocking against a piece of furniture in the dark. Mr Lee, however, got up to investigate, and found the room a mass of flames. The presence of mind of Mr Pivott in closing the door was undoubtedly instrumental in checking the spread of the fire. The furniture was covered by an insurance policy for £3OO by the Victoria Office.