FIRES

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19217, 25 January 1928, Page 10

FIRES

HOUSES DESTROYED AT AUCKLAND. (press association tblegbah.) AUCKLAND, January 24. Fire totally destroyed a two-storeyed house of ten rooms at East TamaM this afternoon. The house was leased to Mr J. Hamilton, who was share-milking for the owner, Mr B. Harris, of Papatoetoe. The orgin of the fire is unknown, as the Hamilton family left early this morning for Auckland. Mr Hamilton was working on the farm during the day, but had no knowledge of the fire until the alarm was given by a neighbour. An attempt was made to save some of the furniture, but the rapid spread of the flames prevented this. ~ ... The house was a very old one, with thick walls of scoria * * nd ™ 8 used as a fort during the Maori War. Since then a storey of five rooms had been added, and improvements made on the ground floor. The absence of water made any efforts to save the house futile, but the outbuildings wMMt destroyed. The insurance on the building is £BOO with the New Zealand Insurance Company. , „ , A five-roomed house, owned by Mr J. Worthington, in Astley avenue. New Lynn, wis destroyed by fire on Monday evening. The only occupants at the time lere Mrs Worthington and one child, who had to make a hurried escape from the burning building. A piano and some furniture were saved by neighbours.

The need for protection agamstfire loss is obvious. the Mereantile and General Insurance Co., ia°Hereford street.