FIRE AT TE AROHA

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2442, 6 March 1888, Page 2

FIRE AT TE AROHA

A fire occurred on Sunday morning in the business premises of Mr R. Harris, storekeeper, Whituker-streot, resulting in the destruction of the buildiner. and nearly the whole of the stock. The flames were first observed between 3 and 4 o'clock, by some of the residents in the neighbourhood, one of whom Mr Marsden, teacher, at once ran to the .school bell, the clang of which, at that early hour quickly brought a number of the inhabitants to the conflagration. By that time, however, the fire had got such a strong hold of the building that very little could be done to save any of the property. Water could only be obtained by pumping and carrying it in buckets from some of the wells in the vicinity, and as it was quickly seen that Mr Harris's shop most go, attention was given to saving the adjoining premises occupied by Mr J. H. Rowe, butcher. .Fortunately the air was perfectly still, and though only three or four yards separated the buildings, the flames were, by means of wet blankets and the perseverinpf efforts of a number of willing workers, prevented from spreading. All that was saved of Mr Harris' property was a small quantity of produce and a few groceries. The safe containing the hooks and papers was afterwards found to have well withstood the fierce heat, as the contents sustained very little injury. The stock was insured for £150 in the New Zealand Office and the building for £100 in the Victoria. Mr Harris estimates his loss at £150 over and above the insurances.