FIRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22110, 4 June 1937, Page 12

FIRES

OUTBREAK IN SHED ON AUCKLAND WHARF DAMAGE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS (PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGSAM.) AUCKLAND, June 3. Fire which caused damage estimated at several hundreds of pounds broke out in the Auckland Harbour Board's gear locker in a shed on Queen's wharf. A crowd quickly gathered, but the wharf gates were closed; people stood on the roadway and traffic was temporarily blocked^ The fire was confined to a small loft in one corner 01 tne roof of Shed No. 16. Apparently starting in a locker full of old paints, the flames had spread quickly, and piles of cotton waste, cork lifebelts, and ropes were all ablaze. With several leads of hose the firemen had the outbreak under control within half an hour. The most serious damage was the charring of a new 16-inch Manila towing hawser, which had not yet been used. One of the massive rope fenders, which is shortly to be fitted to the Bows of one of the board's tugs, fortunately escaped the flames. Further inconvenience was caused to the Harbour Board when water from the hoses leaked through the floor of the loft into the harbourmaster's wharf office below. Records and log books were quickly removed, but the officers on watch to-night had to work under difficulties. . UNOCCUPIED HOUSE DAMAGED Fire, which broke out in an unoccupied house at 153 Simeon street last evening, destroyed the walls, ceiling, and flooring boards of the kitchen before the flames were extinguished on the arrival of engines from the Christchurch Central Fire Brigade. The brigade received a call at 9.10 o'clock, when a resident of the district noticed smoke issuing from the house and gave the alarm. When inquiries were made by the police at Addington it was learned that the house had been renovated a few weeks ago; but no owner could be found last evening, and it is not known whether the building was insured.