FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 213, 29 August 1908, Page 2

FIRES.

SEIUOUS OUTBREAK AT ASHBUIiTUiV. TWO LIVES LOST, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Ashburton, Friday. One of the worst tires known in tlic history of the town occurred last nigiit. Tlie main portioa of 0710 of the pvinr, eipal brick business ulocks was destroyed. Two lives were lost. The fire broke out in the two-storey premises of Zouch, dentist. Hii Iwo assistants ill 'd his servant ecaped, but hh mother, who was in a batli at the time, evidently jumped from lh>; upstair window at the back after being fearfully burned. She died hi the hospital at 3 a.m. A three-year-old son of Mr. Zouch, who was asleep upstairs, was burned to death. The ciiarmt remains were discovered after Uie fire had been subdued. llcll'ord and (Jo.'s drapery store was destroyed, Nothing was saved, Mellor's boot shop and Terns' (painter i) shop were badly damaged and the stock was destroyed. Other places suffered damage by water. Hell'ord was insured for £2700, but he was a heavy loser, having just got in £BOO worth of spring goods. All the promises were owned by Mrs. Coleman and insured for £3075. Other insurances amounted to £ISOO.

THE INQUEST. Asliiburtoii, Last Night. At the inque.st on the bodies of Mary Dove Zoueii, aged 49, and Arthur Pctrie Pilbrow, son of A. L, Zbuch (three years old), who lost their lives in the lire last night, formal evidence of the identification of the bodies only was taken, and the inquest adjourned for a week. Mellor's insurance on the stock was £I4OO in the New Zealand oflicc. The total insurances on buildings, : stock, etc., affected by tlie fire aggregate £9075.

NO CLUE TO THE ORIGIN. A BRAVE WOMAN'S FATE. Ashburton, LasT; Night. There is no clue to tlie origin of the fire, though, it is generally surmised, from its sudden and otherwise unexplainabk outbreak, that it was duo to an escape of gas. Mrs. Zoucli was the wife of W, 11, Zoudi, Inspector of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Christchurch. It is understood that the premises, will be re-built at once, Heflord having a year's lease to run. The loss of life created great con>' sternation here, and Mr. A. L. Zoueh. received numerous telegrams of sympathy. The deceased lady had com>plained of indisposition prior to the fire, and her son had at 9.45 requested the doctor to see her at 10.15. TJic fire was discovered at )0.5. It is presumed slhe would have had time to escape unharmed if she had not attempted t;o, rescue the child.

Westport, Friday. Tlie Masonic Hall was gutted by firo this morning. The fire haaStoo great a hold before tho brigade arrived, and it practically destroyed the building and- contents, including a valuable organ and the Masonic regalia. The insurances were: On the building £4OO, on the furniture £IOO. Auckland, Friday. Tilie Mount Albert railway station was totally destroyed by fire last night. The loss is estimated at £2OO.