FIRE AT OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1915, Page 7

FIRE AT OPUNAKE.

TWO COTTAGES DESTROYED. During the past few years Opunake has come prominently before the public on account of the numerous fires that have occurred! in the coastal township, and as a result the business portion has been practically re-built and modernised. On Wednesday evening a fire broke out in a block of residences opposite the English Church on the Main South Road, and resulted in the complete destruction of two of them. The outbreak started in the centre cottage of the three, which was owned and occupied by Mr. F. Butterwortli. At the time Mr. Butterwortli was absent from home, the occupants of the house being Mrs. Butterwortli and three young chih dren. About 11.20 p.m. Mrs. Butterworth was awakened bv finding the room full of smoke. With her children, she went to Mr. Cubbin's residence next door, and roused him. His son at once went and rang the fire bell, and there was soon a crowd on the scene, including Constable Clouslon. There was a tank of water near, but the fire had such a firm hold that there was no hope of saving the house, which, with the whole of its contents, was destroyed. The strong south-easter drove the flames on to Mr. Cubbin's house, ten feet away, and this was alo dstroyed, though somo of the contents were saved. Mr. C'ubbins is a heavy loser, having only a small insurance of £7O on his house, which he had recently renovated and enlarged. His furniture was uninsured. His loss is probably over £4OO. Mr. Butterworth's residence was insured for £2OO and his furniture of £l5O in the State Office. His was a complete loss. Mrs. Butterwortli and the children escaped in their night attire. In addition, it is stated that Mrs. Butterwortli also lost £SO in notes, which were in the house, that amount having been drawn out of the Post Office Savings Bank in the afternoon. The residence on the windward side had a narrow escape. It had been unoccupied for some time, but on the day of the fire Mr. K. Whale's furniture had been placed in the house by carriers. At one stage it was thought that this residence would also be involved in the conflagration, but, as the wind was blowing from it, the building was scarcely scorched.