FIRE IN COLEY STREET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3838, 30 August 1928, Page 2

FIRE IN COLEY STREET.

LARGE DWELLING GUTTED. The large nine-roomed dwelling in Coley St., owned by Mif G. Mansford, of Palmerston North, and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Walker and family, was badly gutted by fire at an early hour this morning. The outbreak was first discovered by Mrs. G. P. Walker who aroused her husband and the alarm was given per medium of the telephone at 2.30 a.m. The brigade was quickly on the scene but the dwelling Avas then eiu-eloped in flames from end to end. A passage runs right through the building and when the glass in the front door and windoAvs broke with the heat the flames roared down the passage as through a flue. The brigade did marvellous work and, despite the fact that the conflagration had such a hold on thenarrival, the building is still standing although, of course, it is badly gutted insid.e. From all appearances the outbreak occurred in the back portion of the house, used as a store-room, and spread into the ceiling. The floor in this locality is burned right through. The cause of the outbreak is a mystery as everything Avas quite all right when the household retired early the night before. Considerable anxiety was felt prior to the arrival of the brigade, for the safety of Clifford, Mi-. Walker’s crippled son. Fortunately he aauis sleeping in the front portion of the house and Avas able to craivl on to the front verandah, Avhere he was found by members of the Brigade and assisted to a place of safety. Fears Avere also entertained for the safety of one of the girls, who, it was thought, Avas sleeping in a room situated near the origin of the fire. Superintendent Stevenson and Deputy Reid forced an entry into this bedroom despite the fact that it was filled Avith smoke and the heat terrific. After groping around for some seconds, and being unable to locate anyone they Avere compelled to retreat from the room. The girl, it was aftenvards ascertained, had not occupied the room, having decided to spend the evening with some friends.

Mr. Walker has lost practically everything. His furniture and personal effects, Avhich were uninsured Avere practically all destroyed. It is understood the house is covered by insurance, but the amount is not yet available, v