FIRE AT MOUTOA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 843, 24 May 1910, Page 2

FIRE AT MOUTOA.

MR ALEX. SAUNDERS’ RESIDENCE DESTROYED. A fire totally destroyed Mr Alex. Saunders well-known residence, near the bridge, on Saturday evening at about 6 o’clock. It appears that it is the custom of Mrs Saunders, before putting the children to bed, to place a lighted lamp in the bedroom to dry the atmosphere. This was done and the door closed. The lamp must have flared and set fire to the room. Upon the fire being discovered Mr Saunders managed to put it out, but apparently the lining was caught and in a short space of time the room was again in flames, and despite the efforts of a band of willing workers soon got the upper hand. The piano (which was badly damaged) and a few odds and ends were saved. Mrs Saunders wardrobe was destroyed together with a number of other articles which money can never replace. In attempting to rescue some household effects Mr Saunders was nearly suffocated. There was only £IOO insurance on the building and an amount on the furniture. Mr Saunders will be a heavy loser by the fire. Among the effects lost was a valuable collection of rare birds’ eggs, including the almost extinct mohi and fern bird.