CONFLAGRATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3009, 11 March 1926, Page 2

CONFLAGRATION

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF TOWN HALL

ALSO CARETAKER’S COTTAGE,

NARROW ESCAPE OF ADJOINING BUILDINGS.

A most disastrous lire occurred between the hours of 2 and 3 a.m. on Wednesday, resulting in the total destruction of the Municipal Town Hall, including the publiclibrary and rest room, and a fourroomed cottage at the rear of the building used bv the hail caretaker (Mr 11. Reid). '

The cause of the outbreak is a mystery. A strong westerly wind, was blowing at the time, and it was only as a result of the strenuous efforts of the Fire Brigade that the tire was confined to the scene of the outbreak. A five-roomed dwelling adjoining the hall and the Manawatu "Hotel, a short distance away, narrowly escaped destruction. At about 2 a.m. the nightwatekman (Mr. J. Wyeth) passed the hall on his rounds and then - all was apparently well. After proceeding leisurely as far as the Post Office, Mr. Wyeth turned back, and it was while walking towards the northern end of the town that he first noticed the hall on lire, the building then being practically a mass of flames. He immediately aroused the Fire Brigade and gave the alarm, after which he aroused Mir. G. T. Woodroofe, who lives in a five-roomed dwelling next door to the hall in Avenue road. By this time Constable Owen, whose house adjoins the hall on the Main street side, was aware of the conflagration. The hall, which was a large wood and iron structure, was then a roaring inferno and it was impossible to do anything to save the building. The brigade which arrived in quick time, immediately-ran leads of hose out and concentrated on the conflagration and Mr. Wjoodroof’s dwelling. The wind which had freshened to a gale by this time, swept clouds of sparks and smoke down over the buildings to the cast of the hall . and for the next hour they were in imminent danger of destruction. Willing helpers quickly removed the furniture and personal effects from Mr. Wood roof e’s house and also a quantity from the Manawatu Hotel. On several occasions both structures caught alight, and it was only by the united efforts of the brigade, and a bucket brigade, that the Haines were kept confined to the scene of the outbreak. By this time the caretaker’s cottage at the rear of the hall and the supper rooms were a mass of flames, and in a short time the three were reduced to ruins.

ROARING MASS OF FLAMES. The outbreak apparently occurred at the stage end of the hall, and fanned by the strong westerly wind the flames roared through the building as through a flue, rendering any attempt to save any of the furnishings futile.. That Mr. Woodroofe’s house escaped destruction with the flames licking the sides of the building is nothing short of a miracle. This dwelling was only about thirty feet from the supper-room, which was connected to the liall, and in a direct line with the wind.

Upon the arrival of the Brigade, the Superintendent (Mr. Downes) immediately proceeded to disconnect the live wires attached to the building. This was accomplished by removing the fuse from the pole opposite the Town Hall and later the wires were severed at the pole head.

Immediately the alarm was sounded Mr. W. Neville, waterworks foreman, started up the engine in the pumping station and pumped the water direct into the mains with the result that the brigade had au excellent pressure to work with and were not hampered in this direction. THE INSURANCES. The Borough Council had the Town Hall, biograph and accessories insured for £4OOO, and the library books, etc., contained in a room on the upper floor of the Town Hall, were insured for £7O, both in the State Office. Since the destruction of the municipal buildings and public reading room and library on October 3rd, 1920, a room had been set aside on the upstairs floor of the Town Hall as a library, and here a considerable quaintity of books were kept. These were also destroyed.

The contents of Mr. J. Desmond’s confectionery stall in the hall were destroyed and were not covered by insurance. Mi 1 . Desmond estimates his loss at over £SO. Only last week Air. Desmond made enquiries about having this stock covered by insurance, but nothing definite had been done in the matter.

The furniture and fittings of the rest, room, a downstairs room in the hall, were estimated at about £25 and were not insured.

The Education Department was using the Town Hall supper-room, as a cooking room for the State School and there were two gas cookers in this portion of the building belonging to the Borough Council.

Mr. 11. Reid hud his furniture and personal effects insured in the (Queensland office for £l5O, but he is a heavy loser. The local Horticultural Society had their property, which was stored in the hall, insured for £3O. On arrival at the fire, Mr. B. Walls attempted to salvage some of Mr Reid's personal effects, but was only successful in securing his war certificate and two photos much

valued by their owner. Mr. Reid has lost a number of trophies won by him in athletic events, which lie highly valued.

Mr. PI. Reid and his wife and family who occupied the caretaker’s cottage at the rear of the hall, were at the time of the outbreak, away, Mr. Reid being one of the local representatives at the Dunedin demonstration.

As a result of Mr. Reid being away, the back entrance to the hall, usually used to gain admission to the building, was locked up and an entrance, seldom used, ou the Main street side of the hall had been in use during the week. The hall had been shut up since Monday night, when a picture entertainment was held. The rest room was in use on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of holding a meeting of the Tennis Club. At the conclusion of this meeting the hall was shut up as usual, at about 10 p.m. Local Brethren using the Town Hall supper-room for religious purposes lost a new harmonium, which hud been left in the building. The brigade did excellent work, hut were severely handicapped by four of their number being away at the Dunedin demonstration. A large crowd of spectators assembled to watch the conflagration, which was the largest Foxton has witness for some years. During the fire Mesdames Owen and A. Stevenson and Miss O’Leary thoughtfully provided the fire fighters with refreshments. THIRD RECENT PTRE. This is the third fire that has occurred locally within the last few days. Last Saturday morning a six-roomed dwelling was destroyed at about 2 o’clock at the Manawatu Heads and on Sunday morning at about the same hour a similar dwelling was destroyed in Aveuue road. Both of these residences were unoccupied at the time. Constable Owen in a single-hand-ed combat managed to save the outbuildings at the rear of the police station a short distance from the burning structure. On one occasion portion of bis clothes caught fire which he extinguished by turning the garden hose he was using on his upparel. Mr. II Reid’s furniture and personal effects were insured for £l5O. be he is a heavy loser.