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Carnarvonshire Attendance…

[No title]

Abergele District Council.

The Alps in North Wales.

Destructive Fire at Rhuddlan.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

Destructive Fire at Rhuddlan. THREE DWELLING HOUSES DEMOLISHED. THRILLING SCENES. In the small hours of Monday morning la3t the members of the Rhyl and Rhuddlan Fire Brigades were rung up to what proved to be one of the most extensive fires the little village of Rhuddlan has experienced for many years. The scene of the conflagra- tion goes under the name of Highfield- terrace, a row of houses which have been erected during the past few years, and occupy a position a little beyond the Castle. There is a lengthy terrace of red brick houses to the north, and at the end of the terrace is a block of three houses, while a few yards nearer the Castle are a couple of thatched cottages. The block of three houses is owned by Mr. Pryce Davies and Miss Blimston, and occupied by Mr. Hodge, Mr. Lloyd Edwards, and Mrs. Haywood. The residents retired to rest on Sunday night, and nothing out of the ordinary was observed, but at about 2.30 the occupants of the centre house (tenanted by Mr. Lloyd Edwards) awoke to find that the rooms were filled with smoke. Further investiga- tion revealed the fact that the bedroom was well alight, and no time was lost in giving the alarm. The flames quickly spread to the adjacent houses, and the inmates were aroused from their slumbers by the screams which the female members of the central house raised. Neighbours rushed to their assistance, and the occupants of the three houses were brought out, while efforts were made to save the furniture. Messengers were dispatched for the fire brigade, while P.C. Gomer Jones was quickly on the scene. Mr. Conwy Bell, the ca.ptain of the Bod- rhvddan Brigade, was an early arrival, and as soon as he realised the magnitude of the task before him he telephoned to the Rhyl Police Station asking that the Rhyl Brigade should be called out. The Bodrhyddan manual was brought into piay without de- lay, but it was found that the severe frost whch had set 6n during the night (ten degrees in places) played havoc with the hose. In 'fact, several lengths were ripped open, so that the brigade was handicapped from the start. However, the men worked with a will, and concentrated their efforts on saving the adjacent property, as it was seen from the start that there was little or no hope of preventirg the file destroying the upper storeys of the three houses. The neighbours carried the furniture from the houses, and deposited it in the roadway or in the field opposite, the work being done in a severe frost. The firemen worked gallant- ly at their task, and at times owing to the bursting of the hose and the frost they were in trying situations, their clothing being soaked through with water, which as soon as they left the heat of the fire froze hard. The Rhyl Brigade arrived about 4 o'clock, and it appears that some time had been lost with the calling of their men out and pro- curing horses. By this time the outbreak had been blazing for upwards of an hour and a half, it having been discovered at about 2.30. The Rhyl men rendered all possible assistance, and bringing with them a plentiful supply of hose were able to rein- force the Bodrhyddan Brigade. While the lower storey of the houses were saved, the roof and the floors were completely destroyed, and a large quantity of water and smoke did damage to the ground floor. For several hours the two brigades worked very hard, and effectually prevented the fire spreading either to the thatcned cottages or to the other terrace. At about 8.30 the Rhyl Brigade returned home, while the tneinoers 01 'ne isoarnyaaan urigaae took it in turns to go home to change their wet clothing. It is said that some of the helmets of the men were almost frozen to their heads, and none of them was able to say that he had a dry coat to his back. A tremendous quantity of wa'te; was poured on the flames, and there was plenty of evidence of this when the morning broke. In the narrow lane in front of the houses there was a space of about 60 yards, and some six feet wide covered with ice, while the trees in the garden at the side and back of the houses presented a strange spectacle. From the bare leafless branches hung icicles several inches in length, while the furniture outside the houses was covered with ice. Even the books which had b,en hastily carried out and deposited on tables and chairs had their leaves and covers ice-bound. It was strange to see three pianos reposing by the side of the road with the tops frost covered, while sitting-room chairs were to be seen amid the grass of the hedgerows. All kinds of furniture was to be found in strange places, showing how hastily the things had been brought out of the houses and the number of willing hands who had helped in saving them. As soon as possible after the exciting times of the fire the goods were re- moved to empty buildings to be sorted out by their respective owners. The neighbours were most kind to those who had suffered, and shelter was offered them on every hand. An examination of the buildings in the light of day showed that the damage had been very great. Not only had the roofs been destroyed, but some of the standing walls were in a dangerous condition. The firemen took all necessary piecautions to prevent accidents, and are to be complimented on the splendid way in which they worked under great difficulties. Inquiries as to the origin of the fire have failed to find a satisfactory solution. The only explanation that the inmates can give is that something must have taken fire in one of the bedrooms, but all they know is that they were awakened by the volumes of dense smoke which filled the houses, and which brought forth flames as soon as the windows were opened for the purpose of calling assistance. No one seems to know where or how the fire originated with any certainty, but they are all thankful that thev escaped with their lives. The block of buildings is to-day a ruin, while much cf the furniture which was saved is practically useless owing to the water and knocking about which it received. Fortunately the property and furniture is insured, but to what extent is not yet known. It is calculated that it will take more than £ 1 000 to coyer the damage uone.

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Educational Progress in Carnarvonshire.

IDenbigh Boroughs.-

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