FIRE IN MASTERTON

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 11 February 1913, Page 6

FIRE IN MASTERTON

HOUSE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. INADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY. The fire-bells at tlio Masterton Eire Brigade Station were .sounded yesterday' forenoon at 10.25 o'clock, tlio outbreak being in a nine-roomed house m Walton avenue, Kuripum, and occupied by Mr H. Harding The firemen were promptly on the scene, but on arrival at the burning building their difficulties commenced. Several leads were run out but tho pressure wa, s totally inadequate, the water reaching only a lew feet. It being by this time an impossibility to save the burning building, the brigade confined their efforts to saving the adjoining house, occupied by Mr McLeod. The heat ,was tremendous, and several fences (-aught alight. Tho firemen worked splendidly, and at considerable danger, as it was necessary to use the hose from close proximity to tho burning .building. The efforts of tho men were instrumental in saving Mr MeLeod's ihouse. Meanwhile, the Jubilee engine arrived on tho scene, and pumped water from a creek near tho .scene of the fire. The water 'had also been concentrated from several parts of the town, and was plied to the building, which had by this time been completely destroyed. Leads were playing on the remains of the fire and on a ~s'hed at the rear, which was partly destroyed. A bucket-bri-gade had also been organised, and set to work on another outbuilding, which had caught alight. A northerly wind was blowing- at tho time, and considerably assisted the flames. The building was insured for £4OO, and tho furniture for £'2oo. It is considered that tho loss will exceed tlio amount of the insurance, as with the exception of an organ and several articles of furniture, nothing was saved. The cause of the outbreak is not know.' Mrs Harding was in the washhouse, and returning to the kitchen found the place in flames.