FIRES

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20989, 18 October 1933, Page 4

FIRES

FIVE ENGINES CALLED OUT DAMAGE AT AUCKLAND £7OOO ;T'j'!F.SS ASSOCIATION" 'irLKOltA^.l AUCKLAND, October 17. Five engines and more than 40 firemen were required at one .stage to subdue an outbreak of fire which occurred about 10 o'clock last evening at the five-storeyed Norfolk buildings at the corner of Albert and Durham streets. Three firms suffered considerable loss by fire or water. These were Burns. Somervillc, Ltd.. merchants, Reid and Twiname, Ltd., manufacturers' agents, and S. A. Smith and Co., Ltd. A loud explosion followed shortly after the arrival of the firemen, and is believed to have been due to spirits in a large drum on the premises of the first-named firm, where the fire started. Several firemen were fortunate to escape injury. j The outbreak was almost controlled when at 10.30 flames broke out in an- j other corner of the building and j spread rapidly. The Fire Superinten- 1 dent then called reinforcements, and if was 11.30 before the outbreak was i finally controlled. I Fortunately the night was calm and adjoining buildings were not endangered. The firemen, however, worked at considerable peril in the thick smoke and fierce- flames. Some of them worked their way lo the unoccupied top storey, which was undamaged, and moved about on the floor above the flames raging in the fourth. One man. H. Lunn. aged 23. had his hand severely cut when dozens of window panes were blown out by the explosion and crashed to the street below. Snapped a Match hox. Mr W. V. Burns, managing director of Burns, Somervillc. Ltd.. said the whole outbreak was caused when he snapped a matchbox shut and the matches ignited. He dropped the burning box and it fell into some fine straw. His efforts lo beat out the flames seemed to give them a better grip. His firm had moved ri'.o the building only last Friday, and lie and a carpenter were working Jast evening. He attempted to telephone the fire brigade, but was unable to find the telephone book, and had. to run up the street to find an alarm bo?:. Both he and the carpenter, named Wilson, were scorched i\nd had their hair singed. The damage bv fire and water is estimated at £7OOO. Reid and Twiname's stock and fittings were insured for C(i2so with the South British Insurance Co. Graders' goods held on consignment were also insured. Burns, SomerviHe's stock was insured for CIOOO with a Hoyal Exchange policy taken oui only yesterday after the firm's remove! to the new premises.

CniKCH DESTROYED no ricirriNi; facilities AVAILABLE AUCKLAND. October 17. The lack </ proper lire fighting facilities was responsible for the tola! destruction by fire of St. Paul's 'Church n| England;, Handy, to-night. The fire originated near the ridge of the root at the rear of the church. All hough observed in the incipient stages, nothing could be done, as there is no fire brigade in Huntly. Win n first seen the fire could have been extinguished with a few buckets of water if a long ladder had been available The fire blazed fiercely for an hour, and was spectacular when tiie tower and bell collapsed info the blazing ruins. .Strenuous efforts on the part of the vicar, the Rev. E. It. Wright, and a hand of church officials resulted in all the furnishings, including fhe altar, organ, and seats being saved. Tiie church was built of wood, with an iron roof. It was more than 35 years old, and was situated in the centre of the town. The main trunk railway runs close to the side of the site. Tt is thought possible that a spark from a passing engine might have caused the fire. The church was insured by (lie Church of England Diocesan Pension Board for £SOO in the New Zealand office.

CON FECTIONEK Y WORKS FIRE EXTENT OK DAMAGE The damage caused by the tire at the premises of the Chi vers Confectionery Co., Ltd., on Monday evening has been estimated at £ISOO. This inelnries flama.se 1o buildings, plant, and stock. The insurance on the building, which was not available on Monday, is now stated to be £3500, with the Norwich Union Insurance Society. It is considered likely that it will be at least a fortnight before the company can resume operation, and during that time its 28 employees will be out of work.