FIRE AT BIDEFORD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1939, Page 6

FIRE AT BIDEFORD

ROADMAN’S COTTAGE DESTROYED. MASTERTON BRIGADE PROCEEDS TO SCENE. A four-roomed roadman’s cottage at Bideford, 11 miles from Masterton was destroyed by fire, together with its contents, at about 9 o’clock this morning. The house was occupied by Mr T. L. Martin, surfaceman for the Masterion County Council, who with his family had left home at about 6.30 a.m. to meet the morning train. The fire was first noticed by Mr George McKay, of Burnside, who was passing at about 8.30 a.m. He immediately made investigations and found that the place was well alight. He raised the alarm but little could be done to extinguish the flames. At the special request of the County Clerk, Mr J. C. D. Mackley, the Masterton Fire Brigade, despatched an engine, to the scene, but on its arrival the house was practically demolished. After pumping the well dry, the firemen had .no further water available with which to fight the fire. The cottage, the property of the Masterton County Council, had recently been renovated, and was insured for £3OO. It is understood that the contents were insured for an amount of £l5O.