FIRE AT TATARAIMAKA.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1922, Page 4

FIRE AT TATARAIMAKA.

OCCUPANTS’ NARROW ESCAPE. A FARMHOUSE DESTROYED. A serious fire occurred on the Timaru Road, Tataraimaka, late on Friday night, when a 7-roomed house wa«burned to the ground and the two occupants had a very narrow’ escape from being burned to death. The fire was first discovered by visitors to a euchre party and danee at the Tataraimaka public school, who rushed to the scene, and found that the house was completely enveloped in flames and that the occupants (Mr. M. Hannah and his nephew) had only just escaped in time to save their lives. Hannah did not awake until the building was ablaze and he had some difficulty in awakening his nephew, who was overcome by smoke and fumes. The two men saved nothing but a few clothes, and it is' considered fortunate that their loss was not more serious. The house was owned by Mr. F. 11. Blundell, of New' Plymouth, who usually is in occupation, but who was in New Plymouth at the time of the fire. The caiise of the fire is uncertain, but is generally attributed to a defective chimney. The building, which is a complete lose, was insured for £9OO, £5OO in the South British office and £4OO in the Northern office.