FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 179, 28 July 1916, Page 2

FIRES.

I TWO OTJTBREAKS AT P AERO A. BOARDINGHOUSES DESTROYED. "'" NARROW ESCAPES OF INMATES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PAEROA, this day. Fire broke out last night at 9.15 in tbcj premises of Hague, Smith, Ltd.,. hardware'merchants and furnishers! The' outbreak occurred in a store room in the back of the shop. The brigade wasj quickly on- the spot, and in- a-very short time had the fire under controL Very little damage was done to the building.] the.stock suffering mostly from the-- ef-| \ fects of water and smoke. The . total estimated damage is £.500. The cause is attributed to rats.. The; insurances in the Australian Alliance Company are: — Building £600, stock £3,700. -A more - serious outbreak . occurred at 11.30 this morning at the Central Boardinghouse, an 11-roomed dwelling occupied by Jacob Bertebcno. When the | brigade arrived it was quite evident that nothing could be done to save the building from total destruction. I A strong wind was blowing, and very soon an unoccupied 4-roomed cottage, cwhed- by Mrs. McGuire, and next to the already demolished boardinghouse, was well alight. This was totally destroyed. A 14-roomed two-storey boardinghouse, owned and occupied by Mrs. Armstrong, on the other side of the Central Boardinghouse, was, also well alight by this time, and although admirable work was done by the brigade, resulting in the brigade gaining control, the building was almost totally destroyed. Had the fire not been extinguished at this point Bremut's shop, motor garage and stables would almost certainly- have been destroyed.. | The boarders in both house, had nar* row escapes, some getting out in their night attire. The estimated damage is £1,800, and the insurances arei Bertelseri's building £200 in the New Zealand Insurance Company, furniture and outhouses £250 in the Standard office; Armstrong's building and furniture, £700 in the Northern office; Mrs. McGuire's cottage was uninsured. The cause of the outbreak _ unknown. FIRE AT COROMANDEL. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) C»ROM___>__, tMs day. Between 12 and. 1 o'clock, this morning a four-roomed house, owned and occupied by Mr. Alex. Sutherland, was totally destroyed by fire.. The occupant had a narrow escape, with practically no clothing. Nothing was saved. The house was insured for £150. FIRE AT DUNEDIN, (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Thursday. A fire took place to-night in Messrs. Austin and Son's studio, situated at the top storey of a building."in.'Princes Street, occupied-by - Messrs; - Braith waite and Company, "booksellers, and stationers. The.upper portion. oi.Jtbe,building was destroyed," and considerable damage was done to -the stationery from the effects of water. ,- ; -V "; • -'•;"• —33'<7_.-' The photographic business was insured for £100," divided the New' Zealand and the Standard offices. The stock of. tho stationery-business was insured for £7000, of which £2000 is in the Guardian and other offices, the particulars not being available. The, estimated damage and loss to the.studio is £200, and to Messrs. Braith waite and Company's stock £5000. ELLERSLIE RESIDENCE BURNED: One of the most prominent buildings in —Herslie, a large wooden two-storey house of 12 rooms, owned by Mr. Bertram Dawson, was completely destroyed by fire late yesterday afternoon. The whole of the contents were lostr The building and contents were insured in the Royal Office for the sum of £2,500. It is stated that at about 4.45 p__ the maid at the house was in the bathroom using the calif bht, when it exploded, Sir Dawson returned, to his home a few minutes later to find flames bursting through the walls of "the house. He rushed inside, to the telephone, and attempted .to call the exchange in order to give the" alarm, bat he was driven back by the flames. Neighbours who had observed the fire summoned the Elle'rsiie Fire Brigade, which arrived With : commendable promptness. The flame, had such a. strong hold, however, that it was not possible to save the house or to secure any of the furniture. -