FIRE AT FEATHERSTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4696, 16 April 1894, Page 3

FIRE AT FEATHERSTON.

Narrow Escapes, (ByTelcgrapli—Own Correspondent.) FEiTHERsiON, Monday, At a quarter to three this morning a Uro broke out in Mr Pointon's, the the hairdresser and tobacoonist, and by half past three nothing was left atandiug but tbo chimneys. The origin of the fire is unknown. Mr Pointon managed to push his threo ohildren through the front window, severely outtingone. The Club Hotel to Gilpin's store hod a narrow escape but fortuuately at the time thore was no wind whatever, The stock in trade and furniture were insured, but nothing like their real value, Mr Pointon thereby being a heavy looser. Much sympathy is felt for him,' his wife being in the hospital. The fire broke out at a quarter to three this morning. Mr Pointon was awakoned by the crackling and smell of fire, and on opening his bedroom door ho 6aw bis mmns of escape that way was cut off, so be had to smash the windows, pushing bis two ohildren through, thereby severely cutting one of them. Mr Pointon cannot aocount for the fire, as there was no fire in the kitchen after tea last night. As luck would havo it there was no wind at the lime, otherwise there would have been no oheoking the fire bad it once got hold oi Gilpin's storo next door, but great precautions were taken, and sheets of galvanised iron were leaned up against the wall of the store, and blankets were nailed abroad, these all supplemented by a oonstant shower of watt r, The heat mb very .great, atoue time endangering tho Ulub Hotel; blistering all the paint work and cricking the window panes, Gilpin's store next door must have gone had thero been any mud or had not the precaution been taken of putting sheets of galvanised iron and wet blanketß above this, and koaping plenty of water on tho side of the houne.

Groat praise is due to Mr W, Oundy for the energetic, way iu whioh be lead the volunteers namely fiennio, Viles, Paundora, and Mcintosh. Greater praise still is due to Mrs W. Oundy who was drawing water during tho whole time, /