DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1288, 17 November 1911, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

BIG BUSINESS BLOCK ABLAZE, 1 A WAREHOUSE GUTTED. (By TolcttiDh.-PrcEs Association.) Auckland, November IC. At about eleven o'clock this evening a fire broke, out in one of tho largest business blocks in the city, bounded by Victoria, Queen, Eliott, and ' Darby Streets. Tho flames had a good hold when discovered, and there is a possibility of tho wholo block going. Tho flames are burning furiously, and enormous damage fls certain. Apparently (lie outbreak started in Messrs. Macky, Logan, and Caldwell's soft goods' warehouse, just below the Royal Hotel, which is in another block. Tho largest buildings in the block are Messrs. Macky, Logau, and Caldvell'e premises and tho City Chambers. Tho business places include: Mr. W. Holdsworth, bootmaker; Messrs. Howey and Walker, dentists; Messrs. F. and W. Fowler, importers; Mr. Woodward, tobacconist; London-Berlin Piano Company; Mr. Self, tailor; Mr. S.Stone, bootmaker; Uio Singer Sewing Machine Company; Messrs. Hill and Plummer, paperhangers; and Mr. John Todd, tailor. As far as can bo ascertained, a good deal of tho block belongs to Messrs. Macky, Logan, nntl Caldwoll, whoso warehouse is now completely gutted.

LATER. The flames are now apparently burn ing less furiously, and may be got undef before the whole block goes. THE LATEST. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT ,£loO,ooo. The fire is now under control, the flames being confined to Messrs. Macky, Logan, and Caldwell's soft goods warehouse, which is completely gutted. The firm was carrying tho new season's soft goods, aud tho loss of the building and stock is estimated at J;150,O00. Tho building and stock are well insured in various New Zealand ofliecs. Tho brigade pnt up a great fight. Tho firm has been in business here sinco ISBI.