SERIOUS FIRE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 156, 29 March 1926, Page 6

SERIOUS FIRE

IN DOMINION MOTOR WORKS EIGHT CARS BURNT OVER TWENTY DAMAGED The calm of early Sunday morning was rudely disturbed when, at 3.46, the fire brigade received a call to an outbreak ot fire in the Dominion Motors, Limited, near the corner of Courtenay Place and Tory Street.

When the brigade arrived with two motor engines (an engine . from the Thorndon station also stood by),' they found the flames already had a good hold in the garage portion of the building, in which were 55' motor-cars of varying makes, and nearly all new cars. , _ x As the fire was raging on the first floor, where it had started, the brigade’s work was made much more difficult, as the only way of access was up the lift-well. In the face of a veritable hail of sparks, ladders were run up, and two leads of hose, with a very good pressure of water, were very quickly playing on the flames. It was only after they had succeeded in putting the flames out that' the brigade were able to see the extent of the damage, aud the excellence also of the save that had'been effected. On the first floor were 28 motorcars. Seven of these were totally, destroyed by the flames, while 21 others suffered more or less severely by reason of the heat, smoke, and water, and also from the sparks which fell from the roof. On the ground floor were 26 motor-cars. Of these one only was totally destroyed through burning rubber falling from the ceiling on to the hood and setting the car alight. Many ot the others suffered from water and smoke, but not, comparatively speaking, to any great extent. Had the cars oil the ground floor been as closely packed as those on the first floor it is safe to say the damage must have been considerably greater than it was. lhe fact also that all the cars had their Hoods up saved several of them, from considerable damage. . What was equally plain with the damage was the extent of the- save effected bv the brigade. They had succeeded in confining the flames to the garage itself. The showroom, which fronts on Courtenay Place, was absolutely untouched either bv. fire, smoke, or water. Shading into the garage was the stores department, in which were kept thousands of pounds’ worth of motor accessories and spare parts. The damage here—and it was confined to isolated parts, of the department—was. by (water onlv. Indeed, an examination of the. whole, premises after the fire clearly' de 7 monstrated the admirable manner in which.the brigade, under Acting-Super-intendent Clark, concentrated the water on the fire itself with deadly effect. Had they not done so the damage from water must have been almost as serious as the damage caused by the flames. In the words of Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, who is closely associated with the firm, and who was summoned to the outbreak, "It was a wonderful save.” Good work was also done by the Fire Police, who were in attendance, undei the control of Lieut. Asher and Lieut. Ballinger. It is understood that the services department of the Dominion Motors, Ltd., will be closed for a week as a result of the fire.

The origin of the. fire is a mystery. Particulars of insurances were not available late last night.

Be prepared See that you have adequate insurance on vonr house and furniture Consult the Mercantile and General Insurance Co., Ltd., Panama Street It is a local company with all its capital invested in New Zealand, therefore prompt settlements.—Advt.