HOUSE GUTTED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 136, 1 February 1932, Page 3

HOUSE GUTTED

EARLY MORNING FIRE OCCUPANTS AWAKENED BY FLAMES ENTERING BEDROOM . ' - . . - l V esuape in night attire At 1.30 this morning. the -Rotorua Fire Brigade received a'call to what proved" to be one of the most difficult fijrgs which has occurred in Rotorua for over. 12 months.- . The outbreak occurred in a fiveroomed dwelling in Pukuatua Street West owh£d by Nurse Hannah Rangi and occupied by her husband Mr. McDavis Rangi Heuea. Also in the house at the time were Mrs Heuea and their daughter. The family, who were sleeping in a front room were awakened by the flames breaking through a partition from the living room:, Seizing a few clothes and some blankets, they made their escape in their night attire through the front door and Mr. Heuea gave the alarm at the box at the corner of Pukuatua and Amohia Streets. The brigade was promptly on the scene, but found the interior of the house burning fiercely and the flames bursting through the roof and little could be done to save the building. An added difficulty lay in the fact that the nearest hydrant was at the corner of Ranolf Street and an exceptionally long lead of hose had to be run out to bring water to the fire. Communication between the engine crew and those at the fire was also difficult. Despite this, however, the brigade made a good effort and succeeded in controlling the fire, but not until all but tbe bedroom had been gutted and this suffered severely from water and smoke. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it apparently started in one of the back rooms. Considerable amusement and excitement was caused among the large crowd of spectators who had assembled when a hose burst inside tbe house and which, on being withdrawn caused a wild scramble among those in the vicinity to get away from tbe water, which was escaping in all directions. It is understood that the building was insured for £240 and the contents for £100.