RED CROSS STORES DESTROYED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 116, 11 February 1944, Page 3

RED CROSS STORES DESTROYED

£lO,OOO Auckland Fire

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.> ATJCKLA'ND, February 10. . Damage estimated at about £lO,OOO resulted when a fire broke out shortly before 1 o’clock this morning in Commerce Street. The outbreak ocurrcd in Invicta House.' a building occupied by Coulls, Somerville and 'Wilkie, Limited, and the Red Cross Comforts Department. ... The fire started on the first floor, which is occupied by the ,Red Cross Comforts Department. This floor and contents arc an almost total loss. The flames spread rapidly through the building to the adjoining rooms of Leo Rogaly and Lewis Limited, which were extensively damaged. An unusual feature was the fact that the upper floors of the building were badly damaged, but the ground floors occupied by Coulls,-Somerville and .Wilkje. Limited, stationers, and J. A. Barber, customs and shipping agents, were -almost untouched . by fire, though water leaking through from the' upper floors caused slight damage. Sferious loss of stock was suffered by the Auckland Sub-centre of the Red Cross Society, which used the premises as a sewing headquarters and as the principal store room and packing department. Many thousands of garments, including pyjamas, towels, sheeting, wool and hospital requirements which were 1 held in store for immediate use and for 'shipment have become a total loss. Many of the' stores are irreplaceable and the destruction of bulk stores has resulted in a loss of many months of work by willing hands. The contents were insured for £l2OO. The premises of Leo Rogaly, indentors and manufacturers, were also extensively damaged. The damage was estimated at £l5OO. The. adjoining building, occupied by A. B. Wright and Sous, Limited, was slightly; damaged. .■