FIRE AT OPAKI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Issue 2690, 2 September 1887, Page 2

FIRE AT OPAKI.

Yesterday afternoon, about four o'clock, a seven-roomed house, owned and occupied by. George Manning, a small farmer on the Opaki, was totally destroyed by fire. At the time stated, as Mr Bremner, County Engineer, was riding past, he saw smoke isßuiug from the northern gable of the house. Simultaneously with his arrival, Mr Manning got upon the scene, buttho dense in the back part ; of the house that thoycould not enter. With the assistance • of somo of the neighbors the front door was broken in, and several articles of furniture, amounting in value to about JE6 wero saved, and then the fire had complete mastery over the building. It appears that a few minutes before the. outbreak, Mrs Manninghadleft the house to take some tea to her husband, and the othor men who were ploughing. Before she could reach the ploughfields, Mr Manning saw smoke issuing from tho place, but could not' reach home in time to prevent it spreading, Before leaving the house, Mrs Manning plaoed-some'linen before the fire to air, jtyd/it is supposed that a spark mpt.'haTe.Bet.fire, to them; and by this means <#mmunjjsiied the 1 flames'to the walls, Besides Jpsing' nearly the : wbole of iis.' effects; MrsMannjng lost by the fire!/'-The house ■ waß insured, for £200; and the furniture for £SO, both in the New Zealand Office.