FIRE AT LANSDOWNE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10148, 26 January 1911, Page 5

FIRE AT LANSDOWNE.

SHED AND CONTENTS DESTROYED. MR WILLIAMS A HEAVY LOSER. A destructive fire occurred at Lansr downe shortly after noon yesterdayV a large store-house and implement Mr H: Gt >'WilHairis?.( .■ Laiißdowjnte ,hpmestead being compfetely destroyed. The fire was first discovered by Mr V. E. Donald; who communicated at once with the occupants of the house, a few yards away. When first discovered the firo was just catching the north-east corner of the building, having spread from a heap of rubbish In which it is supposed to have originated. The house party, assisted by a few willing workers, removed several things from the blazing building, including ten cases of benzine and a waggon. A very anxious time was spent in getting out. the benzine, the fire having, such; a K(yld, ; that the rescuers ,had to cease operations to allow the kmoke to clear. V The building, which was about 60ft .by 60ft, was nearly twenty years old, ajid was partly -two and -party one' 'storey. Half of the building was occupied by a large" wine cellar, which at the time of the fire contained over 5000 . gallons of the famous Lansdowrie wine, all of which was completely destroyed. Mr :, A. H. Wrightson had a con- | siderable quantity of furniture stored i in the building, which, together with ; other contents, was destroyed, i The Masterton Fire Brigade was qtiiettly on the scene, and got the fire Under way, putting on two leads from the Lansdowne high pressure supply, and; one from, the" creek that acts as" an overflow. :.iv'v t?'Mr IVrightson's furniture - was . in* I sured for £565 in the New Zealand ! office,, for Vhich; Messrs G. H. Perry and Co. are the Local agents. The ' insurances on the other contents and the building are at' present unascertainable. Mr Williams estimates the damage done at considerably over £2000;