FIRE AT GREY LYNN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 41, 17 February 1910, Page 6

FIRE AT GREY LYNN.

A mysterious ifire occurred in a, sevenroomed house at. the corner of Murdoch-roa-d aud Sussex-street, Grey Lynn, last evening between 5 anil 6 o'clock. The house was the property of Mr. Thomas Smith, and was occupied by Mr. F. W. Rifter. Early in the morning Mr. and Mrs. Ritter proceeded to Motutapu to the grocers' pienio. Returning laet evening, after being delayed on the trip up tlie harbour for two hours as the result of their boat sticking on a mud bank, Mr. and Mrs. Ritter reached home at 9 o'clock, and found that the house had been gutted by lire in their absence. It appears that at about 5 o'clock a boarder, who had been away at work all day, returned to the house, but had no sooner entered than he was met by a volume of smoke. He gave the alaTm. and the Grey Lynn Fire Brigade, under 'Superintendent Pentoii, promptly answered the call. The fire spread with remarkable activity, however, and nearly every room -was damaged. How the fire started is a mystery. The insurance on the 'building is £300 in the Government Insurance Office, and on the furniture £200 in the South British.