Fire at Rongotea.

Manawatu Herald, 18 August 1896, Page 2

Fire at Rongotea.

A very disastrous fire occurred here at four o'clock on Saturday morning, causing the complete destruction of ibe buildings known as Thompson's building?, comprising three shops and a dwelling-house. The shops wfre occupied by LangIcy, baker, find Hinckley, tailor, one being empty. The house had just been prepared for Mr Langley, who intended moving into it in a few days The fire was seen first by Mr FI. Lutza, who at t>nce gave the a'arm, and a:>on willing hands were ready to do what they could, but the fire had such a hold that it was impossible to do anything to check its work with the block, and all attention was devoted to drenching Mr Kobcrstein's butcher's shop, which wag in great danger, and the efforts of the willing workers were successful. The buildings, which were leased by Mr Langley, were, we understand, fully insured by the owner, Mr J. C. Thompson, o£ Feilding. Mr Langley nevertheless is a heavy loser, as he had no insurance on his stock and nothing was saved from his shop. Mr Hinckley* is aho a loser, as only his front shop stock was saved, nothing in the back room being got out and no insurance. Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire. — Advocate.