Fire in Shortland-street.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 215, 13 September 1886, Page 2

Fire in Shortland-street.

An outbreak of nro in the crockory storo of Mr 11. Probort, Shortland-street, took place about 4 o'clock on Sunday morning, but was quickly diecovored and promptly suppressed, the damage done being estimated at aomething leas than £5. The store, which goos by the name of "Tha Little Dust-Pan," is a relic of tho primeval style of local architecture, and is sandwiched betwoen Messrs Bycroft's mill and Messrs A. Clark and Sons' warehouse. Thomas Moylo (watchman at Bycroft'e) was the firtt to diecovor the fire, and ho at onco -zave the alarm at the Police Station, whence he proceeded to tho NewZealand Insurance Company's buildings. Moylo and Kobt. Hall (ateward of the Ruby) then effected an entrance to the store by bursting in tho side window, nnd they were immediately followed by Sergeant McMahon and Constable Kilkenny. Led by the smoke to the collar, they found there a row of three barrels, tho centre one of wbicb was partly cut down, and filled vcith packing-straw and rubbish. . The fire had originated in ono of these barrels. Tho Firo Brigade under Superintendent Hughes had no trouble in quenching the incipient fire. Tho Salvage Corps under Captain Field was also in attendance. Mr Probert Hvoa at Romuera, but word was sent to him, and ho came into town. Mrs Probort, who attonds to tho shop, states that sho locked up tho premises at 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, leaving tho key with Mr Patterson, a next-door neighbour. About noon on Saturday a fire had teen used on the ground floor, but this docs not account for the outbreak in the cellar. Tho building, which is 40 years old, is insured for £200, and tho stock for £150 in the South British office.

Patterson (bootmaker) who rents a portion of Probert's building has bis stock insured in the London and Lancashire for £100.