FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 227, 18 June 1908, Page 7

FIRES.

The overturning of a keroseno stove in tho building occupied by tho Mutual Lifo Association of Australasia at tho comer of Featherston and Brandon Streets caused an outbroak of tiro at ten o'clock yesterday morning. Tho Firo Brigade turned out smartly under Acting-Superintendent O'Brien and the spread of the llames was cheeked before any great damage had been done. Tho • seat of the firo was on tho ground floor, and to this and the first floor the brigadesmen directed their energies. The flames appeared at first to bo making headway in tho building, which is an old wooden structure, but tho brigade soon had tho outbreak in nand. The building did not suffer a great deal. Most of tho windows on tho ground floor wero broken. Tho United Press Association offices on the first floor wero damaged by water, which also mado its way into tho oflices of Messrs. M'Arthur and Hull, and those of somo of tho other tonants of tho building. The building is owned by tho Mutual Lifo Association, and is insured for £1400 in tho Nov.- Zealand, Phoenix and South British offices. The contents of tho main oflico wero insured for £150 in tho North British. Tho contents of tho Press Association office wero covorod by a policy for £100 in tho Alliance. At S.4G o'clock last evening a firo was discovered, by ail, occupant of the promises, in tho old Council Chambors at tho corner oE Foathorston and Brandon Streets. Tho occupant in question noticed smoko ascending from underneath tho staircase, and discovered the origin of tho fire- among somo rubbish that had been swept there. 110 alarmed tho firo brigade, and the outbreak was quickly smothered, tho building boiii" undamaged. °