ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS FIRE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 85, 20 September 1915, Page 2

ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS FIRE.

Old Flour Mill Burnt. In the heavy downpour of rain yesterday (Sunday) afterncoD, the tire-bell rang out iu Pukekohe just before 4.30 o'clock, the scene ot the conflagration being Mr Richard Pilgrim's old fhur mill, situated on the outskirts of the borough on Pa;rata road, close lo the Cape railway crossing. Despite the deluge the alarm attracted a big throng of people, many of whom preceeded to the spot where flanrs were already leaping high in the air, but ethers ware deterred from continuing oi their proposed journey by reason of the inclement weather. Ihe Fire brigade made a srnatt turn-:ut aad were quickly on their way to the fire with their hose-reel, but the appliance was discarded when it became known that the water-mains did not extend to the locality. Ihe members of the Uriagde, however, duly arrived on tie scene, but they found that the mill and the adjoining shed were doomed to destruction, the flames having a fi rce h ild of both structures. Gradually both buildings wer: enveloped in flames and were reduced to a mass of ruins.

The origin of the fire is a mystery, as not only were the mill and shed closed, but the dwelling house near by on the piopetty had been untenanted for a week, prior to a new occupier going into residence to-day. The destroyed buildings were not insured.

In the mill was housed the machinery which for 26 years, up till 1889, was used in manufacturing flour from wheat which was brought from Bombay, Tuakau and the surrounding distiicts. The building was one of the oldest land-marks in Pukekohe and prior to his change of residence some 18 months ago to Khyber Pass, Auckland, the owner, Mr Pilgrim, lived in the house adjoining. The shed, previously alluded to, contained farming tools and some of Mr Pilgrim's household furniture.