ANOTHER CONFLAGRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1086, 15 April 1913, Page 3

ANOTHER CONFLAGRATION.

AN OLD LANDMARK DESTROYED.

At 5 o’d ’ k on Sunday morning, a two-s! ire}-ed building—an old land mark—near !he river bank, was totally dest-»yed by fire. The building was owned by Mr W. Book, and was occupied by Mr F. Spiers. The building, a wooden one, was completely destroyed, together with the whole of the contents. There was a westerly gale blowing at the time, and the flames spread with remarkable rapidity. The inmates were aroused, and had barely time to snatch sufficient clothing to cover themselves as they made a hurried exit. Mrs Spiers lost a sum ot money which she was unable to rescue from her room. The furniture and effects were insured in the United lor Mrs Speirs’ loss is considerably above this amount. The house was insured.

The cause of the outbreak is a mystery. A fire had been burning in the dining room during the evening, but everything was safe when the occupants retired for the night. Fortunately the wind was blowing away from the mills on the river bank, otherwise Messrs Gibbs aud Speirs’ mill, also Mr Bock's, would have beeu in grave danger. Mr Bock intends to re-build.