FIRE NEAR TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1725, 26 July 1883, Page 2

FIRE NEAR TE AWAMUTU.

A kike occurred on Monday evening at half-past seven, by which part of Mr Hunt's residence was completely destroyed. The house consisted of two buildings, connected by a covered way. The portion destioyed contained four rooms— kitchen, dining-room, and two others. During the afternoon the diningroom chimney caught fire, but it was quickly extinguished by Mr Hunt, who then carefully examined the chimney, but could bee no trace of fire left. He can only account for the fire by some sparks getting through a hole in the bricks by the ridges, for it was there the fire broke out. The mortar used in building the chimney was very little good, being mostly hand, with very little lime, and as it dried it crumbled away nnd left spaces between the bricks. Mr Hunt was absent in To Awamutu when the fire bioke out, but seeing the glare lie rode home at once. Meantime the servants pulled down the covered way, and so prevented the walls of the other building catching fire, but the shingles caught alight, and in extinguishing it Mr tlunt was severely burned about tho face and hands. The dairy, a few feet from the house, was also destroyed. Fortunately the wind changed just after the fire got a hold, or else the whole of tho buildings would have been destroyed. Unfortunately the pump got out of order that day, or else very little damage would have been done. It is fortunate the outbuildings — in which a great deal of valuable machinery is stored — escaped. The loss of the building is covered by insurance, but Mr Hunt lost a great deal of furniture and clothing, which was uninsured. He estimates his loss at about £60 or £70. A number of people hurried to the spot, andg aye assistance in saving the furniture.