FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 337, 26 October 1908, Page 6

FIRES.

Between half-past two and three o'clock yesterday morning a house on Kelburne Parade, occupied by Mr. Cecil Boyd was totally destroyed by fire. The contents were insured for £200 in the Alliance Assurance Co., but it was not ascertained for what amount tho house, which was owned by Mr. Wm. H. Ballinger, was insured. Tho fire originated in the kitchen; and it was supposed that a rug lying before the fireplace had been set alight by a spark,. and had smouldered through the night. A big fire had beon put on on Saturday, and this was not extinguished when the family went to bed at eleven o'clock. At a quarter-past eight yesterday evening the brigade was called to the timber yaro in Taranaki Street, owned by Messrs. Prous Bros., when they found that a small build ing at the rear, occupied by Mr. Jas. Everett, one of tho employees, had caught fire. Th« fire was readily put out by the hand-chemical engino before tho room had been much damaged.

OUTBREAK AT MASTERTON,

A fire broke out early this morning in the block of buildings at tho corner of Perry and Queen Streets, in the centre of Mastertou, occupied by Mr. A. J. Rankin, confectioner, and formerly known as Wickens's Buildings, It originated in Mr. Rankin's storeroom, and had a good hold when discovered, demolish-' ing practically the wliole of the stock; The upper story of the building was occupied by Mr. Radonski, restaurant keeper, and lie, his wife, a girl child aged four years, and two employees, were awakened by the ringing of tho firebell. They found the premises full of smoko, and were unablo to make their exit by the staircase, escaping thrpugh an upstairs window. ■ . , Tho fire brigade was soon on the scene, and prevented the firo from spreading. The storo room was gutted, the bakehouse damaged, and ten or twelve of the upstairs rooms injured by the smoke, the damage to the build'ing being estimated at between £100 and £200. The building belongs to the D. P. Perry estate. The stock was "insured. The origin of the firo is unknown. Mr. Rankin was in tho stororoom and bakehouse at 5 p.m., and one of his men at- 6.15 p.m., and there was then no sign of fire. Wanganul, October 2i. At 3 o'clock this nlorning an outbreak' of fire occurred in an unoccupied old six-roomed house. Tho firo was extinguished quickly, tho damage being confined to one room. Tho circumstances wero,suspicious, and coupled with other recent outbreaks of a similar kind, tend to confirm suspicious that an incendiary is at work.