FIRE AT FOXTON

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 7, 24 September 1880, Page 2

FIRE AT FOXTON

The immunity from fire which Foxton has so long enjoyed was, we regret to record, broken on Wednesday evening last, when a store at the rear of Sir A. Gray 's premises in Main-street was totally destroyed by fire. At about twenty minutes to 8 p.m. on that day the inmates of Mr Gray's private house were informed that the store, which was situated about 25 f et from the main building, was on fire, and alarm was instantly given to some gentle men who were conversing outside the Telegraph Office. They rushed over to the burning building, but the flames were just breaking through on the north side, and although some plucky efforts wore made, nothing was rescued excepting a sideboard. As the building was very old and dry, the heat became great as the flames increased, and the attention of the bystanders was directed to preventing the main building catching fire A crowd of willing helpers carried water in buckets and dashed on the exposed part of the building, and wetted blankets were hung from the roof downwards. The wind fortuualely had died down at the time of the fire to a light air from the N.W., which took the blaze away clear of all danger. It was soon seen that the house was safe, and the fire was then left to burn out. Mr G. Gray had the remains of the fire watched all night, but no more danger arose, and yesterday morning the fire was quite out. Mr Liddell's hand engine was run down from his store to the scene of the fire, and did very good service. Mr Gray, who is unfortunately away at Wellington, will be a considerable lossr by the fire. The building, which was about 20ft x 12ft, and uninsured, was used for storing articles such as are generally kept about a large store ; amongst these were— five saddles (including a side saddle) maize, chaff, potatoes, bedstead, two guns, chimney-sweeping machine valued at £5, and a lot of other small things not known. Some Maoris belonging to Poroutawhao, who had just returned from the Wangaehu gathering with some substantial presents, had stored them temporarily in the building. It is estimated that two tons of flour, half a ton of sugar, some blankets, and valuable mats, two saddles, and other presents they had received, were ail destroyed. The grief of the Maoris at their loss was very great. They were to have conveyed their stuff away yesterday. Regarding the origin of the fire, Mr George Gray states that he left the premises all safe at about 15 minutes before the fire was discovered. Shortly before he left, a Maori was seen about the store, but no notice was taken of it, as when the Maoris use the store they are allowed to go in and out as they wish. There is no doubt that this man must have originated the fire— either by a falling match or the spark of a pipe. Although no bell was rung or public alarm siren, in a short time a larger number of men were congregated round the doomed house than could have been thought possible to have been in the place. The sight upon looking at the fire from Main street was very grand. The black sky overhead, the curling mass of smoke, with myriads of sparks, the fantastic shape of the flames as they appeared to dart through the gum trees growing at the side of the house, the reflection round the scene, all combined to make a most magnificent sight, which will take some time to obliterate from the memory.