FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 195, 17 August 1900, Page 4

FIRE.

About 9.30 o'clock this morning a Mrs Brown noticed flames issuing from the upper windows of the premises occupied by Messrs R. and J.. Eceles and Sons as a produce store at the corner of Wellesley and Vincent streets. She at once gave the alarm/and some of Mr. Eceles' employees, as well as Mr Tremain, confec-. tioner, and his sons ran upstairs. They discovered that the dining-room was in flames, and at once set to work to put it out. Fortunately the water was near at hand, so they were able to practically subdue the flames before the fire brigade, arrived, although Captain Gladding and his men were soon in attendance with a hose-reel Captain Field and the members of the Salvage Corps were also quickly in attendance." The room was damaged to the extent of about £50, as the ceiling, lining and part of the flooring were cut out to ensure that no fire was still remaining.

The cause of the" Are was easily, explained. Mr Eceles uses the lower storey as a produce store, and let the upper floor to Mrs Rosanna Neelson, who moved in. on Monday. In the dining-room were two wooden coal' scuttles, one with coal in, and the other was used for ashes. This was completely charred, as well as the wall in a recess near the chimney where it stood. As some coal ashes retain heat for hours no doubt in this case the box was fired, and the flames catching the wall paper set fire to the room. Mrs Neelson is at present, away at Waihi, but her daughter and a friend were upstairs in the bedroom when'the fire broke out. They had not lit afire m the grate this morning. As Mrs." Neelson was uninsured she will lose about £10 In damage done to her goods. Mr Eceles* stock in the lower storey was practically uninjured. The building belongs to the Probert Estate, and is insured in the New Zealand Company's oflice for £250.