DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 61, 11 May 1878, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

We regret to have: to, chronicle the occurrence of another fire ! in the heart bf the the town, m this case, unfortunately attended with considerable loss of property. About ten minutes past twelve o'clock on Wednesday night, Mr Phillip's the owner of a general store m the Square was awakened by his wife, who stated that she heard great noises m the shop. As the sounds were repeated, he rushed out of bed, and on opening the door of the dwelling house, which is some little distance from the shop, discovered that the latter was y in flames. Mrs Phillips then ran out into the Square, where her shrieks soon alarmed, the neighborhood, one of the first to arrive on the spot being Mr Straker, ofthe Telegraph Department. Although there was no necessity to dp so, evidently .the inmates hadmade a hurried exit, as Mr. Phillips was rushing upland down the garden m a most: excited A manner -with only his drawers on, rand seemingly. perfectly demented, while Mrs. Phillips; wasiholding on to an adjoining fence, andishriekihg m a pitiable manner. Seeing a httle- girl, who was living with Mr, Phillips, shivering m her nightdress;; m the cold, Mr Straker took: off his coat and placed it round her shoulders, until she was conveyed tp a place of refuge. Before the alarm had been' given many minutes by the ringing of the church bell, the brigade was upon the spet,, but as the furniture of the dwelling-hpuse- had been then removed, there was but ; little ? else for it to do but to prevent - the spread of the fire. Captain King was away from town, and consequently the command was taken by Lieutenant Warburton, who : mounting the roof of the adjoining building, assisted by two members: of the brigade— Messrs. T7 MoMahon and Collard — with the aid of saturated blankets ,, kept the X roof and sides from catching. ; ; We : re-, gret that' the very limited space at our disposal m this issue will not allow of some remarks which we feel called upon to make m connection with the conduct of the insurance companies, but will do so m pur next; Suffice it to say that had the brigade an engine at their command, not only would the d wehing-house have been saved; but a large portion of the stock could have been Fortunately there was not much value m the.saf e at tha time, f or a moreperf ect fraud m the matter of safety it has never been our lot tp . inspect. The , sides, came away m places' frem the " top and bottom, and the vacuum between the outer portion and the inner lining was filled with sawdust instead of sand. The plate was melted away by the force of the fire^ but from the stamp upon the key we gleaned that it had been manufactured at the "Cleveland Works, Wolverhampton." Mr Phillips is totally unable to account for the origin of the fire but as a coronial inquiry is to take place on Monday, some light will be thrown on the matter. Although he -had a large and valuable stock, we believe the insurance-r-.between £2000 aiid £3000— -will, cover 'the loss. Much regret is expressed at destruction and desolation made m the garden, which was a miniature nursery ground, and a matter of no small pride to . the owner. We -{regret that Mir Phillips has to complain of certain acts of Vandalism with regard to it, some persons appearing to think that because the premises have been burned , down,, they are at perfect liberty to uproot ; and carry away choice shrubs and flowers, which have otherwise escaped destruction. X