FIRE AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 239, 25 January 1898, Page 2

FIRE AT HAMILTON.

At 12.30 o'clock this morning the boarding-house bolonging to Mrs Hyde, situated in Victoria-street, Hamilton, was totally destroyed with almost the whole of her furniture and effects. One of The Argus staff, who happened to go into the street at the above-mentioned time, noticed a glare in the direction of No. 1 township and at once called attention to it. Our reporter immediately proceeded to the scene, accompanied by other members of the staff. On arriving at the scene it was found impossible to save anything from the building. A few of the neighbours had assembled, and they were directing their attention to pulling down the picket fence to prevent the fire spreading to the adjoining properties. On questioning Mrs Hyde we learnt that she was aroused by a crackling noise in the front room. She at once realised from the quantity of smoke in the room that the place was on fire, and she forthwith roused her three children, tho only other inmates of the building, and saw to their safety. Mrs Hyde says that the outbreak is entirely a mystery, as there had been no fire in the room in which the outbreak occurred for the last three months. The insurance on the building and furniture is £l4O in the Royal, but Mrs Hyde will sustain a heavy loss, as in addition to a sum ot £26Jn note 3 which for safety she had under her pillow, and which she was unable to save after seeing to the safety of her children, her loss in furniture and bedding will be a most serious one, as they were only partially insured.