CORRESPONDENCE. A FREQUENT CAUSE OF FIRES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2269, 13 April 1886, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

A FREQUENT CAUSE OF FIRES.

[To the Editor.] Sir—The common practice of placing the dreesirig-fcable in front of the window is a most dangerous one, and in many cases doubtless the cause of fires. It was only the other dav that Mr John Skeet's house at. Papawai was burnt down throuah tho children leaving a candle alight on a table so situated, and more recently, yea, even last night, there was a very narrow escape of a serious conflagration. A lady went -to church, and left a lighted candle on the table, the window being open. Her husband, who was not cognizant of the fact, was taking a quiet stroll noli a hundred yards away. ■ A strong wind suddenly sprang up, blowing the curtain on to the candle, and, in the twinkling of an eye, the paper had caught, Fortunately, Mrs Muir, who was passing with her husband on the, opposite side of the street,; noticed the glare and gave the alarm. Mr Muir was quickly on the spot assisting in beating out the flames, I have no hesitation in saying that had it not been for him there would have been a serious loss of property, possibly of life also. A circumstanco of this sort points to the necessity of placing ones dressing, or other tables, at-least four feet away from windows draped with flimsy inflamablo material, and if my letter has the effect of drawing attention to the fact it will have done some gord. I am, &c„ Patep Faijolus. Greyfcriwn, li; 1889.