MANY FIRES

Evening Star, Issue 19777, 30 January 1928, Page 6

MANY FIRES

OUTBREAK IN BREWERY BEER FLOWING IN STREET |Per United Press Association.] GISBORNE, January 30. Fire last evening gutted the packing and bottling department of the New Zealand Breweries. The largo stock of freer was totally ruined, the heat breaking the bottles and causing many gallons to flow into the street. BISCUIT FACTORY GUTTED AUCKLAND, January 29. A destructive fire, causing damage estimated at £9,000. occurred on Saturday afternoon in Laurie and Co.’s confectionery and biscuit factory, Auckland. The portion where sweets are made was completely destroyed, and severe damage was caused in the biscuit-making section. The flames were fed by the sugar and other highly-inflammable materials used in the factory. The building closed at midday, and the fire had a good hold when discovered. The stock was much damaged by water, and the machinery suffered to the extent of £3,000. The plant was insured with the South British for £12,000, and the factory in the South Britisii. for £4,500 and in the New Zealand Office for £2,500. —Press Association. FIRE FOLLOWS EXPLOSION AUCKLAND, January 30. A large two-storied house owned by Mr F. Alpe was destroyed by fire at Ellerslie early yesterday morning. The house was unoccupied, and contained no furniture. The origin is unknown. A neighbor reported hearing an explosion. shortly before the fire was discovered. OUTBREAK IN HAIL HAMILTON, January 30. The old Ngaruawahia Municipal Hall, situated just over the railway line, was practically destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The outbreak occurred in the front corner of the building, but was got under control. Three and a-half hours later the brigade was again summoned to the same building, and after considerable difficulty the flames were suppressed. A third outbreak occurred at 7,40 a.m., doing extensive damage. The hall, which was very old, was insured for £4oo.—Hamilton Press Association telegram. HOTEL DEMOLISHED NAPIER, January 30. Believed to have originated in the kitchen chimney, fire practically demolished the Empire Hotel, a threestoried building of forty rooms, in Shakespeare road, yesterday afternoon, only the front premises on the ground floor being left. The blaze had a good hold when the brigade arrived, arid the firemen’s efforts were hindered by the poor water supply, until a pump was brought into action. The flames were conquered after a stern battle of two hours. Nine guests lost all their belongings. The building was owned by the Gleeson Estate, Auckland, and was covered by £4,000 in the Commercial Union Office; the contents and fittings were insured for approximately £2,000 in the South British and National offices. STORE AND DWELLING PALMERSTON N., January 30. A fire at Bunnytborpe early this morning completely destroyed the store and dwelling house of Mr A. G. Polkinghorne, the occupants escaping in their night attire. The insurances are £SOO on the premises and the same on the stock. UNOCCUPIED SHOP The Dunedin City Fire Brigade received a, call at 1.46 a.m. yesterday to the corner of Albany and Cumberland streets, where an outbreak had been discovered in an unoccupied shop. The fire was extinguished without difficulty, only a window shutter being damaged. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. RAILWAY REFRESHMENT ROOM \ OHAKUNE, January 30. Fire broke out in the railway refreshment rooms at 10 p.m. on Sunday. The railwav, > fire-fighting appliances kept the fireffi check until the arrival of the brigatre, and the damage was confined to the Inspector of Permanent Way’s office, kitchen, storeroom, and noaihouse, all of which were gutted.