FIRE IN BANK PREMISES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 262, 1 August 1929, Page 8

FIRE IN BANK PREMISES

WORKROOM GUTTED

By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, July 31. Damage amounting to several hundred pounds was caused by a fire which broke out in the Commercial Bank of Australia buildings in Dowling Street early this morning. The City Brigade received the call at 7.20 a.m., and the firemen experienced some difficulty in gaining entrance owing to the doors being heavily barred. The building was then thickly charged with black smoke and the seat of the outbreak was located in a workroom occupied by the Arctic Fur Company on the second floor, at the rear of the bank premises. The fire had a firm hold, but once the brigade brought a lead of water into action it was quickly under control. The workroom was completely gutted, while the heavy floor joists were burned through and the flooring demolished, leaving a large hole immediately above the rear office portion of the bank. The contents of the workroom were not covered by" insurance. The bank premises suffered to some extent by water and smoke. The buildings are insured for £9OOO with various offices. This is the second outbreak which has occurred in the same workroom within the past thirteen months. The previous fire was caused through a defective gas stove or heater, and a large hole was burned ; n the bank ceiling. It is surmised that to-day’s outbreak originated from a fireplace on the east side of the workroom.