CHAR-A-BANC DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3723, 29 November 1927, Page 3

CHAR-A-BANC DESTROYED BY FIRE.

At ten minutes to three this morning the sounding of the siren woke residents from their sleep with the warning of fire. The blaze was located in an iron leanto shed housing a twenty-seater char-a-banc in Cook Street. The brigade was quickly on the scene and despite the gale that was blowing at the time, quickly had the fire under control and saved the, (adjoining building. The char-a-banc, evidently the seat of the outbreak, was practically reduced to scrap iron. The vehicle belonged to Mr. A. Coughtrey and was insured for £2OO in the Royal Exchange. The shed belonged to Messrs Coley Bros., and it is believed was insured in the State Office, the amount not being available. The cause of the outbreak is a mystery. Some work was canned out on the bus early in the day, but when last seen everything was quite, in order. It was fortunate the wind was blowing in the direction it was as the shed was situated not 100 yards from the gas works, and the two large gasometers. A good deal of damage done by water to chaff stored .in Messrs Coley Bros. shed. It is particularly fortunate that the fire did not occur earlier in the evening when the “juice” was off or there would have been very little pressure to fight the outbreak. The save was remarkable under the conditions and is due to the timely warning by the nightwatchman (Mr. J. and the prompt action on the part of the Brigade. The Brigade is deserving of great credit for its excellent performance this morning.