FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1917, Page 4

FIRES.

SIR W. BUCHANAN'S HOUSB DESTROYED. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Carterton, June 28, The homestead oPSir Walter Buehlri* an, "Tupurupuru," Gladstone, was total* ty destroyed by fire at 2 o'clock thai morning. The cause .of the outbreak is unknown and particulars are meagre. Sir Walter escaped in night attire and nothing was saved. THE ORIGIN A MYSTERY, Carterton, Last NigW, The outbreak was a complete my** tery. Sir Walter was the last to retire at 10.30 p.m., and left everything apparently safe. Mr. Potts, the manager, was awakened at approximately 1.30 a.m. by a crackling sound, and When he investigated he found a fire between the floor upstairs and the ceiling of the ground floor, quite away from any chimney. He alarmed the household, and the fire hose was immediately got to work, but the efforts were unavailing. The homestead was built 40 years ago, and when recently tested, was found perfectly sound. It was two storeys high, and contained eighteen rooms splendidly furnished. The insurance on the house and furniture was &750 in the Farmers' Union Mutual Insurance. Sir Walter estimates his loss as at least £3OOO over this. The inmates lost everything. The house was supplied with a private Installation of high pressure water giving a pressure of 401bs. Three leads of hose were used, but the building was razed to the ground. ; ""