FIRE IN DRILL HALL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 72, 18 December 1926, Page 10

FIRE IN DRILL HALL

FLAMES NEAR LARGE STORE OF AMMUNITION Bt Telegraph.—Press association. New Plymouth, December 17. A fire broke out in the Drill Hall yesterday evening. Little damage was done, and £2OO will probably cover the loss. If however, the fire had gone undiscovered for a few minutes longer sensational happenings might have resulted. The fire was immediately over a concrete basement, in which 100,000 rounds of ammunition were stored, and protected only by a 11-inch. wooden flooring, while in the adjoining room, separated only bv a narrow passage, 25,000 rounds were stored without protection. One wall was burned through, and had the outer wall gone this ammunition would have been exposed to the flames. TWO HOUSES DESTROYED. Ashburton, December 17. While the prize-giving was in progress at Chertsey last night the schoolmaster’s house, of five looms, was burned. The contents included antiques and valuable books owned by Master W. Doubleday. When informed of the fire Doubleday had a seizure. A nine-roomed house at Pendaryes, owned and occupied by Mr. William Banks, was destroyed by fire. Mrs. Banks and two children were the only occupants. They made a hurried exit. The house was insured for £BOO, and the furniture for £250 in the National office. EMPTY HOUSE BURNED DOWN. Dominion Special. Auckland, December 17. A new four-roomed residence situated in Wallace Road, Manurcwa, and owned by Mr. Alexander Keyes, of Takapuna, was destroyed by fire early this morning. The blaze was first noticed' bv the occupant of an adjoining house at about 1 a.m., but all hope of quelling the outbreak was then past. The cause of the fir e is. a mvstery, the house being unoccupied. The building was insured for £475 in the Home Insurance Office. Be prepared. See that you have adequate fire insurance. Consult the Mercantile and General Insurance Co., Ltd., Panama Street, Wellington.— Advt-