FIRES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15776, 18 December 1916, Page 10

FIRES.

OUTBREAK IX MOTOR GAH AGE. MAX BURNT TO DEATH. (tress association telegram.) IXVER.OARGILL, Dccembcr 16. Woods's motor garage was totally destroyed by fire at two o : doek this i morning. "Over forty cars, many privately owned, were burnt. The building, Which was of brick, covered about a quarter of an acre in the main block, was owned by Sir Joseph Ward. The "Southland News" building was seriously threatened. the intense heat breaking the .skylights. The damage is estimated at £20,000. j An examination of the debris of the fire disclosed the reiuahi.s "f John Mclvor. aged '2Q, who slept -m. {he premises. j The insurances on the building were £3000, stock £1000. The damage doni-> to tho Grand Theatre is about £4<\ and to Xisbct's carriage factory £200. j The Woolston Fire Brigade, at 7 on Saturday morning received a call to 47 Princes street, where a four-roomed dwclling-houte occupied bv C. Johnson was on fire. The house was burned to the gronnd, and no furniture was saved. Shortly after two o'clock yesterday afternoon a fire commenced amongst tho long grass near several residences on the halls at Upper Clifton. Both the Redcliffs and Sumner Fire Brigades turned out, bnt owing to the outbreak being above tho upper reservoir no water ■was available. The members of the Brigade, with the afejistaueo of numerous helpers, got the fire under after about twenty minutes' fighting. At one time .several residences wort; >» flan"i-r but the presence of a larae growth of ice plant helped to stop the fire from spreading. Tne oiitbreaK v. i:s supposed to have boon caused !>v -i t>park from a neighbouring chimnrv.