WAREHOUSE. FIRE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 78, 26 December 1925, Page 4

WAREHOUSE. FIRE

ORIGIN IN STRAW PACKING

The fire which broke out in the. three-storied concrete building ql Messrs. Thompson Bros., in Blair Street on Wednesday evening had, its origin in a corner of the Open Warehouse Co.’s (Messrs. E. Brown and J. Burgess) premises, which occupy the Blair Street half of the top floor. Really only one-eighth of the top floor was seriously damaged by fire. This was right in the centre of the new block on the southern side. Here the roof timbers were burnt through, and the iron roof itself was destipye.d. Shelving and flooring, as well us the stock, were also badly damaged by fire aud smoke. This room—about one-third of the flat occupied by the company, was the unpacking room, and was half-filled with cases of china and crockery, which bad only come into store that day. Some were half unpacked already, and there was , a good deal of straw packing lying about, and obtruding from the stacked cases. It was in this corner that the fire originated, and it is to the credit of the brigade that the flames were confined to this division of the flat. Practically the whole of the stock, which was exposed, has suffered damage, more from smoke than breakages, for smoke and heat combined makes an indelible impression on china and crockery. The stocks of Messrs. Thompson Bros, on the two floors below and in the basement were badly affected, mostly by water, or in some cases by smoke and water. The basement was heavily stocked with bulk merchandise, and as it was filled with the cascades of water from the floors above, the damage to stocks is likely to be heavy. In a lesser degree perhaps the stocks of grocery, confectionery, aud hardware held on the first floor was also damaged by smoke and water.

One outstanding incident in connection with tlie fire was the prompt action of Alessrs. Turnbull and Jones, the electricians, who from one of their first floor windows right opposite Thompson Bros.’ building flooded the scene with light with the aid of an electric flood light, which was a great aid to the fire brigade.

The insurances are as follow:—On the Open Warehouse Company’s stock, £3200 in the Standard office; on Thompson Bros’, stock, seriously damaged by water, £35,000, divided between the New Zealand, Alliance, and the North British, and Alercantile offices (with reinsurances). The building, which is damaged to a minor extent, is covered by a policy held by the Royal Exchange Insurance Company. A BUSY DAY FOR THE BRIGADE The Fire Brigade were busily employed on Christmas Eve, being called on to cope with gorse and grass fires in various parts of the citv. In none of them was any damage done to property. The times and localities were: 11.15 a.m., Crawford Road, Seatoun Heights; 3.30 p.m. Alonorgan Road, Miramar; 5.38 p.m., Burns Street, Wadestown. At 11 p.m. the brigade was called to 16 Herbert Street to a fire in a detached washhouse. Slight damage was done. Yesterday morning at 6.49 the brigade dealt with a grass and gorse fire in Aloxham Avenue Reserve. AUCKLAND OFFICES GUTTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association Auckland, December 25. A fire occurred on Thursday night in the city, when the Auckland Stock .Exchange meeting room in the Government Life Insurance building, together with the adjoining offices, occupied by the Firth Pumice Company and Air. G. Gillespie, accountant, were gutted. Three offices on the ground floor beneath were damaged by water The damage is not extensive. Be prepared. See that you have ade piate insurance on your house and furm ture Consult the Mercantile and Gen eral ■ Insurance Co Ltd., Panama Street It is a local company with all its capital invested in New Zealand, therefore prompt settlements.—Advt.