FIRE AT KURIPUNI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3914, 16 September 1891, Page 2

FIRE AT KURIPUNI.

Destruction of a Ten-roomed Bouse

Shortly after four o'clock this morning an alarm was sounded on the Masterton firebells, when it was discovered that the house of Mr Foster, surveyor, near the Kuripuni railway scation, which is occupied by Mr Jacob Hebley, was on fire. The various fire brigades promptly turned out, but owing to the distance which separated them from the scene of the conflagration could do nothing. The building, which contained ten rooms, was reduced to ashes. The origin of the fire is a mystery. It appears that Mr, Hebley and his family retired to rest at the usual hour, leaving, as they thought, everything in safety. At an early hour this morning, however, on 3 of the daughters of Mr Hebley, who slept on the ground floor, went upstairs to her parents and reported that her room was full of smoke. Mr Hebley came downstairs and searched the rooms, but could discover no signs of fire. No sooner had he returned to hie room, however, than he heard a crackling noise and discovered his house to la in flames. With great difficulty he succeeded in getting his wife and seven little children down the stairs and out of the burning building. Efforts were made to extinguish the flames, but without success, the building in a few minutes being nothing but a heap of smouldering ruins. Mr Hebley and his family had barely time to escape with their lives, and ware unable to save a vestige of clothing, let alone' furniture.' We understand that the building was insured by Mr Foster, and that there was a small insurance on the furniture. Besides the tew of bis furniture and effects, Mr Hebley lost the sum of £ls, which he bad in cash in his trousers pocket. The family is now in the Union boarding-house in a semi-nude coudUion, jind wjthout the wherewithal to procure the necessaries oi life. Immediate assistance will, we feel sure, be rendered by the charitably disposed of our community.