FIRE IN AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 53, 26 November 1928, Page 13

FIRE IN AUCKLAND

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT OVER £14,000 COSTUME COMPANY’S HEAVY LOSS ~ By Telegraph.—Press Association.' Auckland, November 24. A fire which threatened to be of a Sensational nature took place on the premises of the Manchester Costume Company in Ruru Street a little before noon to-day. The building is constructed of wood throughout with the exception of the roof. The Are occurred on the ground floor, which is below the road level, and quickly got a firm hold, licking up to the second floor and ceiling. After half an hour’s hard fight the city fire brigade had the outbreak well in hand. The company employs close upon 50Jhands, and these left work at 10.45 a.m. when work ceased for the week-end. The executive members of the firm, including Mr. H. Winters, were in the factory until a little after 11 o’clock,when everything was reported to be in order and the building was locked up as usual. Shortly after they had gone the workroom was in flames and a passing railway man gave the alarm. According to Mr. Winters, the stock on the premises was valued at well over £5OOO and the machinery at £l5OO. The new season’s samples were under way and the loss would be hard to replace. The damage is estimated at £14,000. The machinery and stock are valued by Mr. A. F. McCarthy, managing director, at £2500 and at least £9500, respectively, while it is estimated the buildings suffered to the extent of about £2OOO. The Insurances, all with Lloyds, were £lOOO on plant and machinery, £BOOO on stock, and £4500 on the building. A large annexe which escaped : damage, and a spacious rear, room which suffered chiefly from smoke and water, will be installed with about eighteen machines, and Mr. McArthur anticipates that the employees, forty of whom are girls, will be back at work by Wednesday. Don’t be a loser. Get adequate insurance. Consult the Mercantile and General Insurance Co., Ltd., Panama Street, Wellington.—-Adv'