FIRE IN VINCENT-STREET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 159, 7 July 1899, Page 5

FIRE IN VINCENT-STREET.

This morning about one o'clock a fire broke out in the "Britannia" boardinghouse, Vincent-st., occupied by Mrs Kate Teasdale. The house, contains 14 rooms, and immediately adjoining is "Kenihvorth House," tenanted by Mr Jas. Montgomery, containing 12 rooms. The two properties are owned by Mr J. Briton, formerly of Auckland, but now a resident of Sydney, and they are

under offer for sale through Messrs Samuel Vaile and Sons to Mr John Kiley, farmer, of Ararimu South, he having until the 9th July to complete his purchase. Mrs Teasdale's premises were completely gutted. The southern wall of Mr Montgomery's premises was damaged, also a portion of the back and roofing. Mrs Teasdale had her furniture and effects insured in the London, Liverpool and Globe for £200, and her piano (which was saved by the salvage corps) for £50. She estimates her loss at £200. Mr Briton has an insurance -on the building in the National office for £500. Most of Mr Montgomery's furniture was saved by the Salvage Corps. He had it insured in the New Zealand Office for £200, and the loss will be small. The fire brigade, under Supt. Gladding, was present and did good work, also Sergt. Forbes and a body of police,

Mrs Teasdale states that she was using a gas stove in the kitchen after 11 p.m. and she went to her bedroom, next to the kitchen, at 12.40. She was awakened by smoke in her room and she called two boarders, Alfred' Minett and Ernest Solomon, and they assisted to get out of the house her two daughters, aged respectively 13 and 18 years of age.

The fire apparently started in a corner of the kitchen, where the gas stove stood. Mrs Teasdale cannot in any way account for the fire and states she was always very careful of fire.