FIRE AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1751, 25 September 1883, Page 2

FIRE AT TE AWAMUTU.

A pi kb occuired here on Saturday morning, 22ud hist., at !) a.m., by wliich the Presbyterian Manse Wi completely destroyed. It broke out in the loof over the study. Mr Neville's servant lit the kitchon fire as usual andpiepaied breakfast. He then went for the milk, as was his usual custom, but before going out he extinguished the fiio hi the kitchen fire-place, no other flic having been lit that morning. When on his return he saw flames and smoke c Miiinpf through the roof, as he ran towards the hou-sc he called out to Mi Neville, who was in his bedroom at the time. Mr Neville when he heaul the roaring of the fire paid no attention at first, thinking it was the noi-,0 made by the train leaving, but the shouts of his scivant atti acting his attention, he went into the kitchen ond looked up the chinmcy, thinking it was on fire, but he saw no .sign of file. He then ran upstairs to his study, and saw the glare through the ceiling. The nearest water obtainable was at the cieek, more than one hundred yaids from the house. A number of people were soon on the spot, but owing to the distance the water had to be carried nothiug could be done towards saving the building, although every assistance was reudeied by willing hands; in fact the fii c had too firm a hold to be put out by anything less than a powerful engine. 'Foi innately all the furnituie except the study table and one bedstead was saved. Mr Neville's valuable book 4weie also saved, so that nothing was lost except the articles mentioned. Many of the doors, windows, and even mantels were taken off in time. Had the fire broken out below instead of on the roof veiy little would have been saved. The only way in which the fire can be accounted for, is as in the case of the last fire here, faulty construction of the chimney, for it is supposed a spark got through one of the ciacks between the bricks, and so ignited the woodwork of the roof. This seems feasible, a^several cracks were plainly visible in the brickwork after the fire had burnt itself out. Tf people when building had theii chhnueys plasteied with cement there would be fewer fire-s. The insurance was £200 in the South British, but the loss ovei that is estimated at -*Jl5O. The chimney was not foul when the fire occurred.— [Own Correspondent.]