DISASTROUS FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 285, 2 December 1925, Page 9

DISASTROUS FIRE.

DARGAVILLE GARAGE BURNED. I ! TWELVE CARS DESTROYED. | i THE THEATRE SAVED. j ; (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DARGAVILLE, this day. One of the largest and most disastrous fires experienced in Dargaville, broke out last night in the North Auckland Farmers' Co-operative garage, one of the largest buildings in town. A car owner, when about to garage a car on the premises was attracted to what he thought was a fire. Another passer-by was of the same opinion, and broke in the door, while 'the car-owner gave the alarm. Although the brigade were on the spot within three minutes of the alarm being given, owing to the inflammable nature of the stock carried the place was soon a raging furnace from end to end. The brigade, helped by an ex._lent pressure of watbr, concentrated their efforts on the Royal Theatre, the largest wooden building in the town and adjoining the burning building. So well did they work that only minor damage was done to the main building, although the corridor at the side, containing the whole of the seats of the theatre (which had been stored there after a recent dance) was practically burnt out. It , was an excellent save. j The building destroyed contained a! valuable plant and about eighteen motor cars, mostly privately owned, also motor cycles. • Only six out of 18 cars were saved. j The firm was unfortunate enough to lose two cars and a motor truck just landed. A large stock of motor accessories, also carried, was destroyed. j The insurances, as far as can be ascertained are: Garage, owned by the Fai- ; mers' Co-operative Company building, j £1000; contents (including tools, stock in j trade) £2000; cars and motor cycles, I £800; a total of £3860, all in the New Zealand Insurance Company. Several private owned cars which were burnt carried small insurances. The Theatre Royal is owned by Miss Peggy Harding. The insurance on the ! building is £2000 in the New Zealand Insurance Company, and £338 in the Alliance Office. I The Farmers' Co-operative garage, cars, stock, etc., are a total loss, running into many thousands above the insurances.