FIRE IN HELENSVILLE

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 December 1912, Page 3

FIRE IN HELENSVILLE

DWELLING AND CONTENTS TOTALLY DESTROYED,

It is some years since a house was destroyed by fire in our township, and considerable excitement prevailed on Friday eveningl last when the cry of <: Fire " was heard, and it was found that one of Mr Downer's cottages at the South end of the town occupied by Mr Hazely, was ablaze. The cottage was one of four close together, and when discoverpd by Mr G. Constable who quickly gave the alarm, was bursting into flames all round, having apparantly had a good hold inside, and it was seen that the house and contents were doomed, nobody being able to enter the house. The crowd which had quickly gathered, turned their attentioa to the houses near, occupied by Mr G. Constable on one side, and Mr G. Bennett on the other, and endeavoured, by forming a bucket brigade, to save the buildings, which were at the same time being quickly cleared of their contents, it being thought almost impossible to save them, owing to the small supply of water and the temporary appliances in use, but willing helpers kept going and by sheer determination kept the flames from taking control, although the walls of both houses were oonsid~ orably charred. A sharp shower of rain, helped considerably in putting out the ashes of the already demolished house, while a lull in the southern wind which had been blowing during the evening, made the task, of the fire-fighters more possible of victory. How the fire started is a my.stery.

At about 9.45 p.m., as Mr Constable was preparing to retire, he noticed that the lightning was heavy, and on looking out of his dining ro"om window which faced Hazley 7s house, to have a look at the weather, he noticed that flames were bursting through the windows. He immediately ran down to the Helensville Hotel corner and gave' the alarm, and when he got back the whole building was in ilarnes and his own house in danger. A number of people started to remove his furniture and effects, also those of Mr G. Bennett, across the way to a safe place, and then wont to Mr Hockey's house, two doors away from the fire, and treated it likewise.

Mr Hazlev states lie left home about 7,15 p.m., extinguishing the lamp which he had been using, and after doing so found he had mislaid his hat which he found in the dark. He states that there had been no fare in the place during the day, and he is at a loss as to how the fire occurred. He loses all his belonging* except what he had on, Mrs Hazily had been away for several weeks and there was no one in the house at the timn of the occurrence. Several people state they passed the house, which was close to the road, as late as i> o'clock, but noticed no light or smelt nothing burning. Mr Hazley states that it was marvellous how "the. adjoining houses were saved from burning as when he arrived on the scene the ilanios wore almost touching the walls of the nearest, and those who worked so hard to save them deserve great praise for their efforts.

On viewing the scone the following morning, all that could bo seen of the fire "was the chimney and twisted iron, the iirc having, witli ills exception of two chairs, made a clean sweep. The remaining three cottages being visited, wore found to be in groat dis order, the owners making attempts to straighten things out, and the quantity of broken crockery laying about showed that things had been removed with more haste than gentleness, while the furniture wad also considerably kcocked about. Mr and Mis Constable, who looked worn out, thought that £12 would cover the damage caused through the removal ;uid replacing of their furniture, while* J]r H(jcke) estimated his loss at about, £10. In the latter case it seemed hard to credit that people at a lire will go so far 111 their cxci foment as to reinouo furniture aud effects before it is absolutely necessary, with so little regard for the same. Mr G Bennett, Jum\, suffered the most through his furniture beiug damaged, estimating £o0 would not cover his loss, ay practically everything breakable was broken. The house?, the property of Mr Downer. Mere insured in the Norwich Union for £120 each, TSlv Hnzlevs furniture, etc., £10'), while his piano was covered by the" Piano Co , supplying it, and Mr G. Bennetts furniture and piano £160, Messrs Con stable and Heckey were not insured. Mr Downer's loss on the house which was burned will be about £200, while the damage done to the other two will cost something to put into repair. Mr Bazley's loss is far above the insurance on his effects, which cannot be replaced.