ALARMING FIRE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10132, 1 November 1910, Page 5

ALARMING FIRE.

SWEEPS OVER NEW BRIGHTON

FATBEIIC SCENES ON THE ROADS.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night.

One of the largest plantation fires int he history of Canterbury occurred to-day. It has swept a south-easterly course from North New Brighton near the racecourse to the rear of New Brighton, which was threatened by the advancing flames. The first place threatened was Mr Allan Hopkin's residence. The fire, advancing with frightful rapidity, swept around the outbuildings, demolishing-the fernery, and destroying a large number of trees. II: was within fifty . feet of the bouse, and if that had caught, nothing would have saved the place. ? Mr Hopkins got about fifty volunteers to work, and, by most strenuous labours, managed to beat the fire on its advance.

New Brighton residents took the alarm early. Some ccor women, who were alone in their rouses, simply came to their gates and stared at the smoke and flames with blank dismay and helpess despair.

The tire seemed to concentrate its efforts on Cowhill road, where there were a number of small houses. Cowhill road is on the tramline, which is just being excavated for construction.

On the road there were eome pathetic scenes!

Women, leading little children., were fleeing from the flaire.-, which threatened their lives and homes, and ! away from the suffocating smoke, which threatened to stifie them.

The houses .in most danger were those occupied by IV. im Torry, Mrs Faulkner and Mrs Winkler. On the other side of the line was Mr Duff's house, which was burned down.

The state of the atmosphere precluded an investigation being made. Mrs Robertson had tp leave her home, v which is in the same locality.

Mrs Frank Needham with several young children, also said farewell to her borne.

At 4 p.m. a reporter made a tour through the Pomain and' north New Brighton, when the fir was under control, and there was little further danger of it spreading.

A tour of the area between Cowhill road and Jubilee Avenue showed that the destruction and damage to property was considerable. Hay' Blank's whare narrowly es- ' caped destruction. The fire got in through a closed window and damaged the contents considerably. The whare was saved by members of an adjoining camp. Behind these places and adjoining the boundary plantation originnlly stood Mr D. C. Duffs two whares, which were completely destroyed. Une whare was insured for £SO in the Atlas office. The furniture, valued at £l5O, was also insured in the same office. The plantation has been practically destroyed, the fire having swept through it. at a terrific rate. It was evidenced by the fact thata rabbit, roasted brown, was found on the ground on the northern boundary of the plantation, and < fronting Jubilee Avenue. .., A number of camps were destroyed. Mr J. J. Cornwall's whare was burnt, the value of which is estimated at between; £SO and £75. It wa not insured. The whare of Mr Giffin, adjoining, was also destroyed. It was valued at £IOO. \ Mrs Clifford's whare, of four or five rooms, valued at £l5O, and Mr \ C. S. Brooks' hut, which, with its contents, is valued at £25, were also totally de-troycd. With the exception of Messrs Duff's and Brookes' cases, the estimated values given is that of the buildings only. No estimate was obtainable of the value of the contents destroyed. Probably the damage done in the case mentioned, as far as was ascertainable, totals close upon £SOO. In the area affected further north, Mr Allan Hopkins estimates his loss at £2OO, and Mr Marriott at £SO. (The above picturesque Press Association message reached us from Christchurch at an early hour this morning. The Christchurch agent of the Association is probably suffering from the effects of smoke. It is unfortunate that a rabbit should have been roasted brown. But there must be victims to every tragedy).