DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1496, 4 February 1882, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN HAMILTON.

We regret to have to record that the dwelling-house of Mr Yon Stunner, the Lake, near Hamilton, was totally destroyed by fire yesterday. The circumstances of the case which are veiy simple are these : About twelve o'clock, Mr Yon Stunner, who had just returned home, noticed that,a spark from the kitchen chimney had ignited one of the gable ends of the I'oof. He at once went and got a ladder and went up, while Mrs Yon Stunner went for a bucket of water. Before she returned, however, the flames, owing to a very high wind that was blowing, had got too firm a hold on the shingles, and it was at once seen that any efforts to extinguish the fire would be hopeless. Indeed in the space of a few minutes the whole building was in a blaze, and although a number of the townspeople were speedily on the spot, they were too late to render any assistance in saving the furniture or other contents of the main building. A small semi-detached cottage was pulled down before the fire reached it, and all that was within was saved. These articles, with the exception of a doublebarrelled gun, were, however; of little value. In the space of a little more than half-an-hour the house was a heap of ashes. Fortunately, being day time, no life was endangered. The house, which contained eight rooms, was the property of Mr Jolly, and was formerly insured for £300, but the policy had lapsed, as also had a policy for £150 held by Mr Yon Stunner on the furniture. The loss is therefore serious. In addition to a large quantity of furniture, the articles destroyed include a valuable piano and a collection of books, knickknacks, &c, which cannot be replaced. The greatest sympathy is felt for the unfortunate sufferers, and the citizens have taken steps to exhibit it in a practical form.