FIRE AT DREYERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3799, 1 May 1891, Page 2

FIRE AT DREYERTON.

Mr 3. McEenzie's Souse Destroyed' A Narrcw Escape-

The residence of Mr Donald McKenzie at Dreyerfcon was totally destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening, shortly after five o'clock. Miss McKenzie, a young lady about sixteen years of age, was, it appears, tilling a lamp with kerosene. She had placed the kerosene tin on a chair, when she left, for another apartment- to procure a pair of scissors. In her absen.e a dog with a chain attached to its neck entered the room, and by some means or other upset the oil. On Miss McKenzie returning she discovered the room in a blaze. Rushing out she procured a bucket of water, audio the excitement of the moment dashed it upon the flumes. The effect may be imaginedIn an instant the flames covered the whole room, and before the young lady could make her escape her cloth" ing was ablaze. Fortunately there is a river at the rear of the house, and with great presence of mind Miss McKenzie plunged into it, thus saving herself from what would inevitably have been a terrible end. As it was, mist of her clothing was destroyed, but she escaped with a severe fright. Meanwhih the fire had got a good hold upon the house, and although a number of willing hands were soon upon the spot the flames were fanned by the high wind which was prevailing and the building was reduced to cinders. The only things saved were a sewing machine and a bux. The house, which contained six rooms, was insured for £IOO in the Standard Fire Office, and the furniture for £SO.