FIRE AT HAMILTON EAST.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 268, 31 March 1898, Page 2

FIRE AT HAMILTON EAST.

Between 12 and I o'clock yesterday morning a fire broke out at Hamilton East, by which the house of Mr Fred. Hunt, machinist at The Akgcs Office, was totally destroyed. The house was occupied by Mr Hunt and his son, and when they retired to bed there »vai no sign of fire, and the first intimation of the outbreak Mr Hunt had was on waking to find his room full of smoke. He went out into the passage, which he found full of smote, and woke his sou, who was sloping in another part of the house. They got out in safety, but having no assistance for so re time, little or no furniture other than the piano was got out. Mr Hunt can give no reason for the fire, other than that ia the chimney in the kitchen, in which there was a fire during the evening ; there appeared to be a chink as if the mortar had been displaced by mice or rats. It is surmised that a spark may have been blown through this ami ignited the surrounding woodwork. The house was insured in the INew Zealand Insurance Office for £U)d, and the furniture and piano in the same office each for £25, but Mr Hunt estimates his loss at fully £IOO over the insurance.