CITY FIRE IN WELLINGTON

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23003, 24 April 1940, Page 14

CITY FIRE IN WELLINGTON

TAILORING FACTORY GUTTED DAMAGE TO BUILDING IN CABLE STREET (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON. April 23. Considerable damage was done to Summers’ Building in Cable street by fixe early this morning. The top floor, occupied by Schneideman and Sons, manufacturing tailors, and used as a workroom, was gutted. Severs damage was done to the workshop of Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., on part of the floor below. Other sections of the building suffered from the great quantity of water used to suppress the flames. When the alarm was received at 2.35 a.m., the glow could be seen from the Central Station and a brigade call was issued. Engines were quickly on the scene, and many leads of hose were run out, the fire being attacked from all sides. So strong had been the hold, however, before the alarm was given, that a large part of the roof fell in and part of the top floor gave way under the heavy pressing machinery. However, in less than an hour there was no sign of flame. Some leads were taken through Austin House, and a good deal of water escaped here, most of lying in the furniture storeroom of Kenners. Ltd., but the furniture itself appeared to escape damage. Some water also penetrated into the part of the building used by “New Zealand Truth” but did no damage. In addition to the loss of clothing, made-up articles in the course of manufacture, and stocks, Schneideman and Sons lost heavily through the destruction of machinery and hundreds of patterns, said to be irreplaceable. A member of the firm said the fire would also have a serious effect on tne carry-ing-out of orders for military uniforms. A great deal of the fire was concentrated in the part of the middle floor occupied by Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., on to which the floor above gave way. The ground floor* is occupied by Faber’s Furnishing Company, Ltd., and A. G. Healing and Company, cycle and motor importers. The building is owned by Mr E, A. Summers, of Christchurch. Schneideman'and Sons have been tenants since the first part was erected in 1923.