FIRE AT WAITOHI.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1523, 9 December 1886, Page 3

FIRE AT WAITOHI.

A fire broke out yesterday about 11 a.m. in the dwelling-house of Mr William Telford, of Waitohi. The house was a cob one with a thatched roof, and a brick chimney the top of which was compos: d of a couple of nail cans. There was a hole in one of these cans, and the chimney catching fire the blaze went ont through the hole to the thatch, and thus it was ignited. As soon as Mrs Telford, who was alone in the house, noticed the fire she ran out for assistance, and on noticing Mr J. W. Yelvin driving up the road, called out to him to come at once as her bouse was ou fire. Mr Yelvin went to her assistance with all possible speed, and sent Mrs Yelvin, who was in the trap, for more assistance to Mr W. Wright’s. On reaching the house Mr Yelvin found the fire coming through the roof near the chimney. Ho got on to the roof with a bucket of water, which he poured on it, and Mrs Telford then came to his assistance. As milk was the easiest to get at, Mrs Telford handed him up a few buckets of it, with the result that be was able to get the fire under. On going Into the house, however, it was found the fire had taken hold of the ceiling, and Mrs Yelvin having by this returned with Mr 0 Neil from Mr Wright’s, steps were taken to put it out, Mr Yelvin went up into the loft, and water having been banded up he succeeded apparently in getting the fire under again. About this time a strong breeze sprang up, which fanned the smouldering embers on the outside, and soon the roof was again in flames. Both Mr Yelvin and Mr U’Neil got on the roof and tried to stay the flames with wet sacks and water, but their efforts proved fruitless, as very soon the fire spread along (he ridge and they found themselves in the midst of it. They tried to tear off the thatch so as to prevent the fire spreading but it had got too strong a hold. Finding they could do nothing on top they decided on removing the furniture, which they aucceded in saving. Messrs Telford and Wright came to their assistance and although the supply of water ran abort they succeeded in saving a wooden lean-to which was attached to the house, and also a dairy which was a few feet away from it* The bouse «*ss burned completely, but the furniture sustained no injury. The house was a substantial three-roomed cottage, with wooden partitions, floor and ceiling, and as it was completely uninsured Mr Telford loses considerably by its destruction. Great praise is due to Mr Yelvin and Mr O’Neil for the way they worked, and also to Mrs Yelvin, who worked hard in removing the furniture while her husband and Mr O’Neil were working on the roof. Mr Wright also did good service as soon as he arrived.