FIRE AT ORMOND.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 67, 15 February 1884, Page 2

FIRE AT ORMOND.

[By Telephone.] Ormond, Feb. 14. A fire broke out this afternoon at Mr. Bolton’s farm, close to the township. A new house had just been erected by Mr. Bolton, the house formerly occupied, in which all the furniture was stored, being used as a wine and fruit store. A splendid piano, sewing-machine, ten barrels of peach and grape wine, a ton of fruit, and a ton and a half of honey, stored within the last few days, were totally destroyed. The fire originated in this wiseA boy, named George Taylor, had been engaged by Bolton to gather fruit and assist in taking honey. Yesterday a hard day’s work had been done, and the boy, who went to bed last night in the lean-to by the side of the house, neglected to put the candle out. On the dressingtable stood a basket in which was some light clothing belonging to Mrs. Bolton. The candle burnt down and caught fire to the clothing. The boy awoke, but gave no alarm. Bolton went into the room this morning and found the boy lying on the bed almost unconscious. He had previously thrown some of the burning things out, but said nothing of having done so. It appears the wind carried a spark from the smouldering articles, which fired the shed. This afternoon Mr. Bolton was in the township at the time the fire broke out. A rush was soon made for the spot, Messrs. D. Malone, Cross, H. Adair, Mclntosh, Eghan, Currie, Skellicorn, Pavitt, Lewis, and others worked hard to extinguish the fire, but water was scarce, A large heap is still burning. It is insured in the National for £250. The safety of the main building is feared for.