FIRE AT OTAKI.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 2 May 1919, Page 3

FIRE AT OTAKI.

DWELLING TOTALLY DESTROYED At about 5.40 on Wednesday night an alarm, was given by the Otaki Fire Brigade's syren, and it was soon discovered that a five-roomed dwelling on Riverbank Road, occupied by Mr and - - Mrs Geo. Renwick was ablaze. The lire was first noticed by Messrs Bills and Moore, who at once sounded the syren. "Unfortunately, the flames had a gtiod hold at the time, bursting right through the raof and side of tho house, and though the Fire Brigado was quickly on tho scene, it was known at once that there was no hope of saving the , building. However, the chemical en- i gine was soon sot at work, and the firemen worked energetically. A very few minutes after the brigade arrived on the scene under Captain Bassett the whole building was a mass of flames. However, the outbuilding: and the cot- ' tnge adjoining (belonging to Mr A. E. , Anderson, and occupied by Mrs McCleland) were saved by the brigade's efforts.. Two or three small articles of furniture wero saved from tho building, but otherwise everything was dostroyed. j It appears that Mrs Renwick left J that evening for Levin, where her hus- ' bund was working. She left everything safe, as she thought, but it is surmised that possibly something was left smouldering, which caused the fire. The building belonged to the Bright estate, and was insured for £2SO in the Liverpool, London and Globe office, [ while Mr Ronwick's household furnituro was insured in the Northern office for £IOO, and tho piano for £SO in tho sanic office. Much sympathy is felt for ! Mr and Mrs Renwick, who are heavy • losers by the fire. )

A very largo number of people asicmbled to watch tho fire, tho syren >eing distinctly heard some miles .way. > ;; : "'"■-'-- i j-V..