GIRLS’ SCHOOL FIRE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 437, 19 May 1937, Page 5

GIRLS’ SCHOOL FIRE

HASTINGS OUTBREAK Pupils In Bed At Time Press Association—Copyright. Ilia stings, May 18. A fire which broke out late at night damaged the Queenswood Girls’ School, in Nelson Street, Hastings. The school, which is a large two-stor_ eyeldi wooden building standing back from the road in its own grounds, blazed fiercely and the Hastings Fire Brigade was faced with ix fourhour fight before the outbreak could be quelled. The fire is believed to have been causd by a spark finding its way' behind a wall above a mantelpiece. The flames spread between the ceiling and the roof, necessitating the removal of part of the iron roo f . About 20 pupils and their teachers were in bed when the outbreak incurred, but they made their es_ •ape without any difficulty and were boarded with friends for the night. Die alarm was given by a cook. A number of valuable works of rt were saved. The insurances on be building amounted to £1750 and the contents were insured for £906.