RESIDENCE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Shannon News, 14 June 1927, Page 3

RESIDENCE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

NOTHING SAVED. Shortly before 5 a.m., yesterday, fire destroyed a seven-roomed house sit* uated at the corner of Minnie and Elizabeth Streets. The house was the property of Mr. S. Cotie and was occupied by Mr. Charles Boyle. At the time Mr. C. Boyle and his brother were the only occupants of the dwelling, Mrs Boyle and the children being' away at Huntly on a holiday. Mr Hugh Boyle, who with his broth- ' er, occupied a bedroom in the front of the house, was awakened by smoke io-~ the room. He immediately aroused • his brother, and on opening the bedroom door, found the house well alight and their escape cut off by flames and smoke. They then escaped through the window, clad only in their pyjamas, not having time to secure enough clothes to wear. The building and contents were totally destroyed, nothing being saved. - The fire started in. the back portion of the house as when discovered, the fire, aided by a slight south-easterly breeze, w r as travelling from the rear to the front of the building. The building, which was an old one, along with its contents being quickly demolished.

Mr. C. Boyle states that he and his brother retired about 9.30 p.m. During the evening they had a fire in an open fireplace in the dining-room which was situated at the back of the-house next to the kitchen, all this portion of the house being ablaze when he awoke. Before going to bed his brother had put the fire out by pouring watSr over it, and everything appeared qpite safe. Apart from losing his home, Mr. C. Boyle suffered a severe loss by the fact that a wallet containing £92 10s. in cash was destroyed. This was money that Mr. Boyle had collected at Mangahao the previous day. He had it in his coat pocket and in throwing the coat out of the window the wallet fell out and was destroyed.

The building was insured in the Slate Office for £SOO and the contents in th» Queensland Office for £2OO.