FIRE IN DIXON STREET

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2983, 22 January 1917, Page 6

FIRE IN DIXON STREET

A LTJOKY SAVE. At 1.30 p.m. on Saturday a fire broko out on the first floor of _ F. Cooper, Ltd.'s, big building in Dixon Street, which is leased by Kodaks, Ltd. Fortunately the outbreak was uncovered before tho flames got a groat grip, otherwise very extensive damago would 1 ' have been done, as, apart from tho building being practically a now one, the stock of seeds carried by F. Cooper, Ltd., is a very largo and valuable one, and of a character immediately affected by heat or water. Mr. H. Bcauehamp, manager for Kodaks, Ltd., states that he had no idea how tho outbreak of fire was caused. On Saturday all tho members of the staff were away from tho building shortly after noon, and tlo outbreak was not discovered until 1.30 p.m. His stoclc of photographic goods was seriously damaged, now seriously •he could not say until it had been overhauled. Tho brigade was promptly on the scene, and rendered oxccllent service. It is feared that a good deal of expensive seed stored on tho grounWrarfr' has been damaged. Tho heat was very great while tho fire lasted, and the smoke and water would also affect such/ sensitive stock. Tho building was insured in tho Mew Zealand Office for £12,000, and the stock in -the same office for £18,000. Kodaks, Ltd.'s, stock was insured in tho Alliance Office for £8400.--Tho fire' itself was confined to Kodaks' packing room, round the big goods lift, which is nearor flic back than tho front of the building. Owing to tho high wind the firo could uot be worked from the front, as the opening of the front windows would have meant the destruction of the whole building by the increased draught. That being the case, the firo had to be suppressed by fighting it through thojift well, which is a spacious one, with cooling leads playing en tho burning mass through the back windows. Mr. Tait and his men. arc commended for what is considered to be a good save.