Up in Smoke Just Shy of Xmas

Heidelberg News and Greensborough, Eltham and Diamond Creek Chronicle (Vic. : 1916 - 1918), 16.12.1916, Page 2 (courtesy of Nilss)

"FIRE AT EAGLEMONT.

On Wednesday morning at 5 o‘clock the eleven-roomed house, built for Mr Whitelaw by Mr Beasley, was seen to be in flames. The alarm was given through Mr Arthur, of the Ivanhoe railway station, and the Ivanhoe brigade arrived on the scene in nine minutes, quickly followed by the staffs from Northcote and Hoddle-street, 18 men working under District Officer Mehan with a fair pressure of water. The main roof and south portion of the building were badly damaged, and the remainder slightly. When the fire was first seen the flames were through the roof of the second story, and as the owner had not moved into it, and no one was living there, the origin of the fire is a mystery. There were eight men working on the building the day before, and one load of things were moved into it, the owner taking possession this week. The building cost nearly £2000."

A two story house ready to move in. Eleven rooms, £2000. Firefighters from Ivanhoe, Northcote and Clifton Hill. Quite a drama a few days before Xmas.