STORM AT FIJI.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 April 1921, Page 5

STORM AT FIJI.

DESTRUCTION IN SUVA. . GOVERNMENT HOUSE BURNED. STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. Suva (Fiji), March 21. A thunder storm, accompanied by very heavy rain broke out over Suva to-day at 1.45, continuing for two hours. At 1.55 a severe lightning flash startled the town, while a remarkably heavy rattle of thunder followed, shaking the buildings. The lightning bolt struck Government House fairly in the centre, behind the main entrance, startling the occupants, none of whom, however, being aware that any damage had been done. Five minuter later, however, Captain Garland A.D.C., was taking a paper to the Governor, and was startled to find the reception room in flames. The alarm was quickly given and the fire brigade and fifty native constabulary as a bucket brigade were speedily on the scene, and hoses got going, but from the start it was seen that nothing could save the large building, which was all of woodEfforts were made to save the office of the private secretary at the north end, and attached by a verandah. The latter was chopped down and the hose kept on the building, resulting in it being saved. The reet of the building was burned right out. A quantity of furniture and clothing was saved, but the loss to Sir Cecil and Lady Rodwell will be very considerable. All the time the fire was blazing, and it was a magnificent spectacle, the

flames racing up hundreds of feet, the rain fell in torrents. This greatly helped, the fire fighting, as it lessened the h4at and glare of the fiery furnace within the building. It is rather a cdincidenee that only on Wednesday last the Government completed an insurance of £200,009 with the Pacific Insurance Co., but only about £250 is on the building destroyed.

The office of the Commissioner of the Western Pacific is some distance away and escaped any damage.