FIRE AT HOMEBUSH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 January 1940, Page 7

FIRE AT HOMEBUSH

OLD HOMESTEAD DESTROYED. MOST OF CONTENTS ALSO LOST. An eighty years old homestead at Homebush, owned by the H. T. Hume Estate and occupied by the manager Mr W. D. Fisher and family, was razed to the ground by a fire which broke out at 9.45 a.m. yesterday morning. The outbreak was discovered by Mrs Fisher, who was at home with her ■daughter, Mr Fisher being out working. Hearing a loud thud from the kitchen Mrs Fisher opened the door to investigate and was met with a wall of flame and smoke. Slamming the door shu' Mrs Fisher and her daughter were able to gather together a few blankets and personal belongings, and with the assistance of neighbours a few oddments of household furniture were saved. A itrong northerly gale which was blowing at the time soon spread the flames and the homestead was quickly alight from end to end. The heat from the building, which was a two-storied oni built of heart totara. was terrific. Fortunately. the strong wind was instrumental in blowing the flames awaj from the outbuildings, which were on the northerly side of the' homestead. The fire was well beyond the borough boundary, although there was plentj of water available for fire-fighting purposes.

The house and its contents were covered b.y insurance.