FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10230, 8 January 1927, Page 8

FIRES.

SPECTAC ULA R BLAZE.

SPREYDON SCHOOL DESTROYED

CHRISTCHURCH, Jam 7,

The wooden portion of the Spreydon School was destroyed by a spectacular fire shortly before midnight last night. The outbreak Is suspicious. Eighteen months ago an incendiary attempt was made on the same building. While it lasted the blaze was vivid, hose leads doing little to curb the fury of the flames.' By 12.45 o'clock the' building had practically collapsed, and an open-air shed and coal and firewood stores, which were separate from tlie’main building, also had been destroyed. Two tons of coal in the coal shed helped to make the tire in the smaller buildings quite as spectacular as in the big one. _ The caretaker is certain he did nothing which might have caused the 'fire. The building, which is from 50 to 5o years old. consisted of four big classrooms. The woodwork was not in a croud state and made excellent fuel. On a recent visit the Minister of Education, Mr R. A. Wright, expressed the view that the school was scarcely in a fit state for occupation, and it was placed well up on the rebuilding list.—P.A.

HOMESTEAD TOTALLY PE-

STROYED

. OWNER ESCAPES THROUGH

WINDOW

MASTERTON, Jan. 7. An eight-roomed homestead, owned and occupied by Percy Falconer, settler, of Wangaheu Valley, was totally destroyed by fire in the early„ hours of Thursday. Falconer was the only'occupant and had time only to make a hurried cxT throughu bedroom window, It is pfe.s Lime u. the fire started from the embers in the kitchen range. The house and contents were insured, hut the amounts' arc unknown. —P.A.

Protect yourself against losses by fire by insuring with the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, Ltd.— W. Lissant Clayton.

Be prepared. See that you have adequate insurance on your house and furniture. Consult The Mercantile and General Insurance Co. Ltd., Bull and Edwards, District Agents, f- is a local Company with all its Capital invested in New Zealand, therefore nrompt settlements.