BLAZE IN CUBA STREET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 84, 7 January 1928, Page 10

BLAZE IN CUBA STREET

SOFTGOODS WAREHOUSE GUTTED DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £15,000 SCENE OF DESOLATION A serious fire broke out in a softgoods warehouse and factory on the first and second floors of premises at the corner of Cuba and Vivian Streets last night and completely gutted both floors, doing damage estimated at £15,000. The ground floor of the premises, which are owned by the Cooper Building Co., Ltd., is occupied by Alacduffs Ltd., ironmongery and crockery merchants, and the second and third floors are occupied by F. Khouri and Co., softgoods manufacturers. The fire, which broke out on the second floor, was first noticed by a policeman on the Cuba Street beat, who promptly gave the alarm. The Central Fire Brigade, under Superintendent J. Creke, was. promptly on the scene with four engines, one being from the Constable Street station.

When the brigadesmen arrived at 10.45 p.m. flames were issuing through the windows of the second floor, and the fire had obtained a good hold of the third flopr,. which is used as a factory by Khouri and Company, the fancy fabrics used in the manufacture of ladies’ apparel acting as excellent fuel for the flames. There was a good pressure of water, and the strong force of some fifteen brigadesmen soon had the conflagration in hand, but by this time both floors had been completely gutted, The fire demolished the partitions on both floors, and in places burnt holes in the flooring. A “Dominion” reporter, who was conducted over the premises by Superintendent Creke, found an appalling scene of desolation. Although tarpaulins had been spread to save the stock as much as possible from damage bv water, little remained of the £13,000 worth of stock carried by Khouri and Co., but a few stacks of goods. Valuable ladies’ softgoods . had been reduced to ashes on both floors. In the factory, where 35 women were constantly employed, little remained but charred embers. Thanks to the valiant efforts of the brigade, Afacduff’s Ltd., escaped except for damage done to stock by water, which came through the charred ceiling. ' A strong force of police, under Sergeant Bon'ish; of the Mount Cook station, rendered excellent service, as also did a strong contingent of Fire Police under Lieutenant Ballinger. Air. F. Khouri informed a Dominion reporter last night that he valued his stock at between £12,000 and £13,000. He knew nothing of the fire until he received a telephone message at his home at Karori, telling him his premises were on fire. It was doubly-unfortunate that a big consignment of winter goods had just arrived from England on Thursday,.The dav before the fire. Air. Khouri was unable last night to give the exact amount of the insurances he had upon his plant and stock. The Cooper Building Company had a cover of £5OOO on the building. Air. Khouri stated that, he would be a heavy loser through being unable to fulfil the large number of orders the firm had received. .. " The need for protection against fire loss is obvious. Consult The Alercantile and Genetai Insurance Company Ltd., Panama Street, Wellington.— Advt.