FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 278, 24 November 1898, Page 6

FIRE S.

Residents of Ponsonby were aroused from their slumbers on November 4 by . the. .clamour of- the firebell. The fire, which broke out with startling suddenness, and its origin in the house of Mr Charles Carter, a painter, one of a row of dyveliiiijj-s on th-j southern side of Hackett street. The biiilding was an old one and burnt fiercely, the flames leaping to a great height, while showers of sparks were scattered high in the ah\ The adjoining house soon caught, and was also destroyed. Mr Carter'^ furniture and effects were in sured for £75 in the National office. The house was owned by Mr James Volkner, of Nofthcote, and insured in the Alliance for £225. The other house was to have been occupied in a few days by the owner, Mr T. G. Boles, and was insured for £250 in the South British. The furniture in ths building was uninsured.

The danger' of an outbreak of fir© in the vicinity of shingle roofs was again illustrated on November 3rd, when a fire occurred in Day-streetJ The fire started in a seven-roomed house in Day-street belonging to Mrs Hanson, wife of Mr W. Hanson, builder. This building was occupied by Mr James Morris, a caterer. The fire also secued a good hold of the house on the left, occupied by Mrs Aze, and only the furniture- in the lower part of the house xy#ss saved. Morris' house was burned to the ground, and: so rapidly that not a stick of ftirniture. was saved. Mrs Aze's house was; practically destroj'ed, though part of the building was left standing. Mr Hanson valued his wife's house at £350, but there was only £1,00 insurance upon it, so that Mrs Ha&son loses considerably by the fire. Mr; Morris had his furniture insurea"for £100 in the United Office, and, as already mentioned, saved nothing. He estimates his .oss at rbout £100. Mrs Aze was not insured. Her house; was owned by Mr C. Williamson. .