THE MANGAWEKA FIRE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8848, 26 June 1907, Page 3

THE MANGAWEKA FIRE.

The Maugaweka Settler writes Mangaweka is undoubtedly gaining a notoriety for fires Which other towns arc not likely to envy. It is nily a few months since that wo had so chronicle the destruction of a valuable block of buildings immediately opposite the scene of yesterday morning’s lire. The 'present outbreak was first discovered by Mr W. Evans, of the Settlor office, who lives in a cottage adjoining. Mr Evans was awoke from his sleep through the rattle of a vehicle passing along the road. He then lay for a few minutes awake when he heard something drop heavily on the floor next door. At the same time he noticed a bright glare through the window. Rushing outside, his worst fears wore soon realised, as he saw the rear of Mr Bennett’s workroom in flames. Uttering erics of fire! fire! and hammering at the doors of the nearest residents, iie succeeded in raising the alarm and bringing assistance. By this time, about two o'clock, the lire had gained -wonderful headway, having spread to the rear of Mr'Jchuston’s general'store. Fully half-an-lionr elapsed before a dozen people put in an appearance. By this time the whole of The buildings were enveloped in a seething and crackling mass of fire. Being impossible to gain admission to either Bennett’s or Johnston’s pjOr, mises efforts were directed in saving the plant of the Settler office and Zimmerman’s, Fortunately a slight breeze which was blowing veered round from the former and shifted the danger of fire from that dixec-. tion. Zimmerman’s premises were less fortunate on account of their being within a few feet of the great bulk of the blaze, which speedily devoured everything with the excep : tion of two unfinished gigs. By this -time a number of willing workers had succeeded ip placing web blankets over the optside of Trewby Bros. At this stage the Wind had dropped to a dead calm, but the excessive heat was so intense, that if ! was almost impossible to -stand in ■ front of Muuro and Co. ’s new pro mises. Here a new danger presented itself and as the outcome of the 'ter-, ribio heat opposite, ffi'c ffiviFling began tfl feel the ffifoct, The whole of the shop front allowed uumistakeablo signs of bursting into flame, but the united efforts of a number of heroic workers who had formed a bucket brigade succeeded, after a tough fight, in keeping, the fire on one side 6f ’the street. Great assistance was also, rendered by placing sheets of corrugated iroxi in front of the threatened prcigisos. This, together with a good supply of watof from the wells and tanks in the immediate vicinity, undoubtedly saved Messrs Mu.nr-o and Co. 'b buildings. The losses of those concerned are heavy. Hitherto there is no clue to the origin of the fire.