LOSSES BY FIRE

Southland Times, Issue 21099, 3 June 1930, Page 7

LOSSES BY FIRE

TWO HOUSES DESTROYED. (Per United Press Association.) Napier, June 2. Two total losses by fire occurred in Hastings this afternoon. . A six-roomed house in Frederick street, occupied by Mrs Gordon, an invalided widow and her son, George Gordon, who has an orchard on the property, was discovered on fire by Mr Gordon. Despite ths brigade’s prompt arrival the time taken to run out 1,700 feet of hose, the weakness of water pressure, and a high wind combined to prevent the success of their efforts to avoid a total loss. Mrs Gordon was got out by her son, but the flames spread so rapidly that the neighbours saved only a few things of trifling value. The house and furniture were insured in the State Office, but the amounts are not ascertainable.

The second outbreak was at 5.40 in a large eight-roomed house owned and occupied by Mr H. D. Kemp, nurseryman, situated beyond the borough boundary in Lyndhurst Road. The flames had a very strong hold before being discovered by passers-by. The owner was dining with 4 neighbour and Mrs Kemp is on holiday in Palmerston North. The brigade gave up the effort to subdue the flames by pumping water from an artisian well, and concentrated successfully on some large outbuildings behind the house. Nothing was saved from the residence, which was insured for £l,OOO in the South British, while 'policies of £4OO on the furniture and £350 on the outbuildings were held in the same office.