CITY FIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1176, 11 July 1911, Page 4

CITY FIRE.

CYCLE SHOP IN WILLIS STREET.

A rather serious fire occurred yesterday , afternoon at 1.13 Willis Strect-a cycle shop occupied by Mr. Thomas 11. Oates. It appears that n young man named Frank O'Leary was engaged m cleaning bicycle chains, and had in use some benzine. The cleaning operations were being carried on rather close to a lighted stove, and, presently, the benzine tool; fire,and O'Lcary had 'to make a hurried exit from the room to avoid being biimctl. Rapidly the flames spread, and, though the brigade were summoned at once (4.20 p.m.) and reached tho scene, within a few minutes, the fire had then done a good deal of dami.se. Quickly as it was extinguished, it had, practically all the "lock, winch consisted of bicycles, motor bicycles, fittings, and rubber tyros, valued altogether at about .C.JOO. Unfortunately for the owner, the stock «-as not covered by lnsiirnnce. Tho building, which is owned by Mr. 1 nomas Hush of the Union Clothing Company, was only slightly damaged. It ,is insured for &1000, held in equal amount'? by the National, Standard, and Royal Office. The pressing-room at 131 Willis Street •occupied by Leo. Blake, clothing manufacturer-was damaged. There is an insurance of ,EIM in the Guardian Oflico lo cover this. On the other side, No. 135 —occupied bv Engonio Mctaxas as n boot shop—the shop and contents wow damaged by smoke. Over this shop the I'uited Office has a policy for 4!] 10. BOARDINGHOUSE DESTROYED, illy Telccraph -Prn«« .\«ocial!on. Asliburton, .Inly 10. The Methvon Boardinghouso, of eighteen rooms, was totally destroyed by fire (Ins afternoon. The building was owned and occupied bv Mr. Gcorec Dor?. The origin of the fire* is unknown. Only a portion of the furniture wa's saved. Fortunately the wind was favourable, else other buildings must hove gone too. The new Bank of New Zealand building* suffered swmowhat from the heat, many windows boitiir broken. The insurances are: .1:250 on the building .and ,C!>s on l.ho furniture, in tlr Xcrthcm Company.