DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

Evening Star, Issue 19408, 17 November 1926, Page 10

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

BRIGADESMEH INJURED [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 10 A fire to-night in a one-storied brick building in N< wton road, occupied by the Home and Colonial Stores as a head office and store room, caused extensive damage. The fire burred fiercely, and the brigade had a haid task to subdue it, The value of the stock is given as £13,000. It consisted of provisions, fancy goods, sacks of produce, and other goods. Mr J. Robertson, owner of the building and proprietor and manager of the Home and Colonial Stores,' was sitting in his office at the front of the building when e passer-by threw up the window and told him the rear of the building was in flames. Mr Robertson irado hurried efforts to save important papers The lights then failed, and he had to da h for safety, his hands and face being scorched by the flames. HAMILTON, November 16. The biggest fire in Ngaruawahia _ for some years occurred early this morning, and was attended by serious consequences. The blaze apparently originated in Peter St. Annics_ billiard saloon, which, with the adjoining shops of Ivan Smith (hairdresser and lotmcconist) and Miss E. Pickering, was completely gutted. Messrs Russell and M’Farlane’s drapery shop, which was in imminent danger of destruction, was saved by the brigade. The flames had a good hold when the alarm was given, and the inmates of one of the premises were awakened by the noise, and escaped in their night attire, losing their clothing and personal effects. All those concerned are heavy losers. In endeavoring to, get the fire under control- one of the firemen was severely wounded by falling glass, and another, who was overcome by dense smoke, received medical attention.