Narrow Escape from Fire at Eden Terrace.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 246, 19 October 1886, Page 3

Narrow Escape from Fire at Eden Terrace.

AuouT 8. 30 last evening an incipient lire was discovered in the block of buildings situated at j Eden Terrace owned by Mr T. B. Hill, chemist, Queen Street. The facts arc as follows:-On Friday last Messrs Cottci-cll and Co., of the Auckland steam turning, cabinet and joinery works, Upper Quccn-slrccl and Karangahape road, took one of Mr llib's shops for the purpose of opening a branch establishment, and a quantity of goods were moved in yesterday. At 8 30, Mr John Dennisson, who occupies tbo adjoining premises, noticed smoke comig through the partitions. He atoncc jumped to the conclusion that Cotterell's premises were on lire, lleian round to the backdoor, but on trying the door he found that if was locked. Mr Dennisson thon tried the back window, which fortunately was not fastened, Upon entering the room Mr Dennisson was almost choked with the mass ot smoke that gushed forth. Ho mado his way to the back door and as the key was within he quickly unlocked it -aud gavo the alarm. Mr Hill, jun., came to his assistance and between them the flames were soon extinguished. The flames wero found to ho issuing from a mattress which wuslying withotheriiiattressos and beddingln the shop. This block comprises live shops and a dwelling house and would most certainly have been destroyed had not Mr Dennisson discovered the five while in an incipient stage and taken prompt action in the matter. A proposal to insure Iho stock for £200 had been made to the Norwich Union Co. by Messrs. Uottorcll and Co. yesterday, but no premium was paid, the company, however, agreoing to hold the premises covered for a week.