SPECTACULAR BLAZE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 9

SPECTACULAR BLAZE.

OLD PANMURE LANDMARK.

POST OFFICE AND STORE.

OCCUPANTS' HURRIED ESCAPE.

One of the old landmarks of Panmure disappeared early this morning, when ilie post office and general store, situiited in the main street, alongside the Public Hall, went up in smoke. All that remained consisted of a few sheets of iron. Intense heat was caused by the flames . ami windows in premises on the oppowilo side of the street were broken. Alter the fire the safe containing all tho postal matter was secured, and taken to the Chief Post Office for examination. The structure was a very old twostorcy building of seven rooms, occupied by Mr. George Farr and family. The owners of the property were Messrs. A. anrl I. Hogan. The building was insured with the Guardian Office for £350. Mr. Farr carried a large stock, the insurances on which were not available, but he considers himself a heavy loser. The fire originated alongside a chimney situated in the centre of the build--1 irig. Tho occupants had attended the pictures and returned home about 10.30. They lit a fire, had supper, and retired for the night, leaving everything apparently safe. At 3.30 a.m. Mr. Farr was awakened to find the greater portion of the building in flames. He roused the others, who escaped from the place only partially dressed, and leaving all their personal effects behind. DARGAVILLE HOUSE LOST. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DARGAVILLE, this day. A fire at 8.30 o'clock last evening practically destroyed a six-roomed house in Awakino Road, owned by Mr. J. Bershing and occupied by Mr. H. Potter. The house was a fairly old one and it burnt fiercely. Mr. Potter was in bed at the time and three of his children were in the house. With the assistance of a neighbour all were rescued unscathed, very little of the family's property was saved. The house was insured, but there was no insurance on the fnrniture and the occupant's loss is fairly substantial.