FIRE AT HAMILTON

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3059, 23 February 1892, Page 2

FIRE AT HAMILTON

Just about seven o'clock last evening a tire occurred in Hamilton, the house occupied by Inspector Emerson being burnt to the ground. The lire broke

out io Miss Florrie Emerson's bedroom, and the house being a wooden one, the flames quicklv spread, and in the absence of water, it was impossible to save the building. It appears that Miss F. Emerson had been reading in her bedroom, and going out left the candle burning on a table in front of the open window. Miss Emerson was the first to notice the fire,

nd on opening the bedroom door she

found the whole room ablaze, the curtains having evidently blown on to the candle,

and the fire thus communicated to the walls. She immediately gave the alarm, and her father was at once on the spot, but realising that nothing could bo done to save the house, ho gave his attention to getting out what furniture and clothing he could. Several neighbours were quickly on the ucene, and rendered valuable assistance in saving various effects, but the time was so short that outeide the piano very

little else was saved. From the first outbreak until the walls had fallen, scarcely fifteen minutes elapsed, and long before I the walls fell the building was completely enveloped in flames. The house was a seven-roomed one and had been occupied by Inspector Emerson for tbe last eight months. Mr J. T. Home, of Hamilton, was the owner, and the building was insured in the Commercial Union Office for £225, but Mr Home estimates his loss at fully £50 over that sum. Mr Emerson had the household furniture insured for £12q and the piano for £25 in the Phoenix. Office. This sum does not cover the monetary loss, and in addition to this the Inspector has lost many valuable relics which have taken him years to collect and which can never be replaced. Another loss which Mr Emerson will feel koenly is that of his ir.edals, of which he had a goodly number gained in active service, and for good conduct. A number of kind friends preferred assistance and the homeless family was soon provided with accommodation for the night. _