BIG STABLES BURNED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9122, 23 April 1915, Page 6

BIG STABLES BURNED.

&50 DRAUGHT HORSES

DESTROYED

ESTIMATED. LOSS, £26,500

(Per. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 227 About 9 o'clock to-night a very largo stable at the foot of St. George's Bay Road, Parnell, owned by J. J. ■ Craig, Limited, one of the i principal carrying firms in Auckland, suddenly burst into flames. The lofts were full of straw and hay, and this is believed to account for the fact that the fire spread so rapidly that it was found impossible to save the horses. There were no fewer than 300 magnificent animals, the average value of which was about £50 each, in the stable, and of these only three were saved. In addition, many lorries and drays and a, large quantity of equipment was destroyed. The origin of. the ■ fire is entirely ■unknown, and its amazingly rapid spread is the source of much remark. ,It was a new, biiilding; the builders, in fact, had not ' given it the final touches. : It covered an area of Sssa, feet by'l2o feet./ -■'■■■■" Two men wer.e in the stable when the outbreak was discovered, yet. so quickly did the flames spread;,over the whole building that they could dr little in ore than save themselves, and leave the 300 horses to. their fate. Spectators ..say that for about five minutes only the screams of the xmfortunato animals could be heard, and then tho roof fell in and they were silent. . The loss is estimated as follows: — -■■ ■ £ Horses ... ... ... 12,000 Buildings ... ... ... 7,000 • Fodder, carts, and harness 6./.«.-. Electric equipment ... 1,000 Total £26.500 Information regarding insurance is not ascertainable to-night.