Fire at Marton.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 29, 2 July 1885, Page 2

Fire at Marton.

About 5.20 on Monday evening the Martpn fire-bell sounded, the alarm, and it was soon discovered that the cot^aet and stables of .Mr Robert Thuriton, oh the south bank of the Tutaenui; were ablaze. .The Fire Police were yery, promptly oh the spot, considering, th* : distance they had to travel, and the Fire Brigade made quick despatch m arrivi'!' ing on the scene, considering that they had to drag their engine such a long dig. tanco and that very few volunteers werey available it being about tea-time. 'Every effort was made to subdue the flames, but they had taken too good hold before assistance arrived, and, as the build, ings were old, they burned tike match, wood. The destruction was complete A horse. belonging to Mr Healy and» calfbelonging to Mr D, Thurston was burnt to death. Mr E. Thurstpn'sAmily Jqst aUJtheir_olotheg-excepT those they wore.. Most of the furniture was burnt, ; and there was also a quantity of harness belongingto Mr E, Thurston destroyed i Thefire originated as follows ;—Some children about seven or eight years of age saw a rat running into a hole m thekitchen, and they thought they would have some sport m burning the rodent out. They brought coals from the fire, place and placed them m the hole, and thusjignited the cottage. Before their mother had become aware of what had takeii place, the fire had got full hold. There was no insurance on either the buildings or furniture. The former belonged to Mr E. Hammond, of York Farm.. At the time of . the, fire Mr B. Thurston was absent at Leeflsfowii; The fire created quite a sensation; and,' 0 judging ;by appearances, Qhe-iwonW '• unagme that the. whole of the;Markm burgesses had turned out to view the s< conflagration."— Marton. paper. ' ,? V T