FIRE AT WHANGAREI

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 72, 24 March 1923, Page 11

FIRE AT WHANGAREI

LYCEUM THEATRE BTJRNT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspomlen:.) WHAXGAREI. this day. Shortly before noon to-day a fire broke out in the Lyceum Theatre, Cameron Street, Whangarei. Mr. J. Lilly, operator, was engaged in winding films adjacent to the operating room in the vestibule when an explosion occurred behind him. the cause of which is obscure. Sheets of flame quickly filled the vestibule, the operator being singed before he could make his exit, but iuckily not severely. Owing to the inflammable nature of the contents the flames obtained a powerful hold before the arrival of the brigade, and though good work was done by the brigade the fire was not subdued until practically a clean sweep had been made, only the brick shell remnining. Some excitement was caused by successive explosions of films, four programmes being destroyed. The damage, which is extensive, includes all the seats, interior fittings, and the operating plants. The building is owned by the estate of the late Robert Thompson, while Mrs. M. Mason was lessee and proprietress of tho picture concern. The building, plant and fittings were insured in the Victoria Office for £2000. Two shops on each side of the picture theatre were severely damaged by heat, smoke and water. One of these was tenanted by MrR. M. Mason as a confectionery and soft drinks business. Her extensive stock was not insured, and the loss will be considerable. The other shop was occupied hv T. A. Williams, land ajrent, and the Whangarei Borough Imildine inspector, and was similarly damaged. The insurances are not availnble. Fortunately a large number of boroush building plans were preserved intact. A huee crowd watched the progress of tho flames.