SERIOUS FIRE

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 130, 4 June 1919, Page 8

SERIOUS FIRE

ANOTHER OUTBREAK IN TARA-NAKI-STREET.

Residents of Taranaki-streot, in the vicinity of the big three-storied structure known as Prouse's Buildings, were disturbed in the early hours of this morning by the Fire Brigade, which had been called at 3.22 a.ni. to a serious outbreak in that building. Though confined to the interior, the blaze did a considerable amount of damage, estimated at well over £5000. Tho fire originated on tho first floor of the building, occupied by' tho Salvation Army as a tailoring department, and by the time the brigaas arrived on the scene the "flames had made their way to the second floor, which the Defence Department used as a store. By good work the brigade saved this ';,_»«• from any serious damage. The loss' suffered by the Salvation Army was, however, considerable, amounting to about £4500. The ground floor was untouched. • , "A portion of the building extendi! to a fourth story, in which several people resided, and it 'was fortunate for them that the fire was prevented from making further progress, as the brigadesmen and the police experienced diffipulty in removing the occupants. The building was owned by Messrs. Dwan Bros, and T. and W. Young, and was insured in the Commercial Union and Ocean ofiiee for £8000. The Salvation Army's stock was covered by a policy of £2900 in ,the Atlas Insurance Office. The ground floor was occupied as . business premises by the fol- , lowing:—Charles Slymon, timber merchant ; Thompson and ■ Hills, fruit preservers ; and Wilson and Wood, motor garage._ Nothing is known as to the cause of the outbreak.