DIXIELAND FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 213, 9 September 1935, Page 9

DIXIELAND FIRE.

CABARET DESTROYED. TOTAL LOSS OF £3500. THREE BRIGADES ATTEND. A cigarette butt carelessly dropped in the corner of a couch is believed to have been the cause or a fire which destroyed the greater part of Dixieland Cabaret, Point Chevalier, about 3.30 yesterday morning. Damage estimated at £3.1001 wus caused. It is not yet known whether it is intended to rebuild the cabaret. JMr. K. A. .Spinlcy, public accountant, who is acting as receiver for the debenture holders stated this morning that a meeting would have to be called to arrive at a decision. Scene of many a gay cabaret party, Dixieland to-day is a charred and tangled mass of burned-up structure and twisted corrugated iron. Here and there a smoke-stained bottle and a glass, splintered by heat, stand on a rickety burned table. Cubicles and lounges, which were once partitioned l>y trelliswork decorated with greenery and lighted by soft coloured lamps, are black and ugly. On the stand where a band of seven, led by Mr, Norman Voltner, played lilting tunes to the delight of hundreds', stands a charred piano and a wrecked ponatrope. Drums and effects which caused hundreds of feet to shuffle in rhythm are unrecognisable. The value of the instruments, as estimated by the manager, was £400. There is a gaping hole in the wall which fronted the harbour, the floor is a mass of slush and the roof has fallen in in several places. The ballroom and the bathing sheds below were completely gutted, but a concrete partition between the ballroom and the tearoom aided the firemen to prevent the fire from spreading to the tearooms and the main entrance facing the road. Slight damage was done by smoke to this part of the building. The home of Mr. V. H. Trask, the manager of the cabaret, which adjoins the main building, was slightly damaged at one corner. When the fire was at its height Mr. Trask, fearing that his house would also bo destroyed, hurriedly removed his furniture.

Roar of Flames. A roar of flames awakened Mr. and Mrs. Trask about 3.30. When they investigated they round the main cabaret blazing and they put through a hurried call to the Point Chevalier Fire Brigade. A minute later flames broke through the roof of the cabaret and it was realised that tlie fire had a firm hold before it was discovered. Fanned by a light wind the flames raced quickly through the old timbers of the cabaret. Within a few minutes of the arrival of the Point Chevalier Brigade came two more machines from the Central and Western District stations. While some of the brigadesirien were concentrating on the main building, others directed their efforts on the coiner of Mr. Trask's home which was blazing. They quickly put out that part of the fire. With the combined forces of three engines, the firemen attacked the main building with three leads of hose from two sides. Vagaries of a wind blowing off the lnnd made the task of the firemen difficult. It changed its direction completely several times, alternately blowing terrific heat In the face of the firefighters and away from them towards the adjoining building. Half an hour's solid fighting was necessary before the fire was under control, but it was a considerable time before the flames were completely subdued. ■ Two firemen remained on duty all yesterday to prevent any fresh outbreak. Wall Fallen Out.

At the scat of the fire the building consisted of four storeys. The wall on the seaward end had fallen out. There was little left of the residential flat and offices on the top floor, the ballroom was reduced to a tangled, charred wreck, and carpets in the cubicles anil round the passages were ruined by the slush of plaster and water. At the point where the floor collapsed on the seaward end several steel girders, ISm wide, were bent in a curve by the terrific heat. Down below the cabaret the bathing sheds capable of accommodating over 700 bathers, were completely destroyed. Fire f>litin."- equipment in the building could not be reached when the fire was discovered because of the terrific heat. The manager of the cabaret, Mr. Trask, said that when he went round the premises after the performance at 12 30 on Sunday morning, everything was all right It appeared to him that the fire started in the left-hand corner of the cabaret in one of the lounges. It was apparently due to someone leaving a cigarette butt in the corner of one of the "couches. In view of the hold the fire had when it was discovered, Mr. Trask considered the brigadesnien had made a splendid save. Owned by a private company known as' Dixieland, Limited, the cabaret was insured for £4000 and the contents for £1850. Both policies are held by the Australian Provincial Assurance Association, Limited. Staff Out of Work. By the fire a, staff of 11 permanent hands and three casual employees will be thrown out of work. The staff' included the manager, Mr. Trask, and his wife, a band of seven players, a caretaker, a shop assistant and three waiters. This month the cabaret was booked for several large dances. Arrangements for the chemists ball, which was to have been lie'id on Wednesday night, have been cancelled.

FARM HOUSE DESTROYED. j

HAURAKI PLAINS BLAZE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) THAMES, Sunday. Soon after 2 o'clock this morning the five-roomed residence and contents of Mr L S. James, a well-known farmer on the Qopuarahi-Kerepeelii Road, was destroyed by fire. Mr. James was away in Auckland, and Mrs. Jaine* was alone with three children. She was awakened by the barking of the dogs, and had only time to escape through the window and run round to the back of the house to rouse and get the children out of the burning building. The outbreak appeared to have started in the front room of the house, where there had been a fire during the evening, but winch had been extinguished before the occupants retired. , , . \b there was no water supply,, nothing was saved, and Mr. and Mrs. James are heavy losers. Mr. A. Fisher, who lives on the other side of the road, rendered ■ill the assistance possible. It is understood the house and contents were covered by insurance, but "the amount , is not at present available.