NARROW ESCAPES.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1391, 2 June 1881, Page 2

NARROW ESCAPES.

The Government buildings had a narrow escape from a flying mass of embers, but somo smart young fellows <rot a long ladder and mounted the buildings, in order to see that embers should not be allowed to rest on the roof. The roof being corrugated iron, helped to preserve the building. .Several official? removed tin; goods from vanous offices, but the building escaped. The villa residence occupied by Dr. Grinders, the property of Mr K. M. Edgcumbe, some four hundred yards fiom the fire, caught at the back, but was extinguished by willing hands ; al&o the old Victoria Hotel, but these weie put out w ithout delay. "NVrigley's store was burning a long time ; a large quantity of spirits being stored away in the cellars. The brick walls stood the heat well until the wooden braces were burned ; then the wall was seen to bend over and gradually fall witli a crash. The buck wall ot the house was standing at 12 o'clock last night. When the spirits caught fire the flames went as high as the walls of the house. Some things were s.ued from the various hou&es and store. I'iovidentially, Wngley's giam store was saved Im a free application of water. Wngley will be a heavy loser, having ou baud a large stock. His hoiibe was not yet completely finished, and its nun will be much deplored. He ib bearing his loss like a man. He was entirely uninsured.