FIRE OUTBREAKS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 November 1927, Page 2

FIRE OUTBREAKS.

PRODUCE STORE ABLAZE. (Per Press ABBoeiation.) DARGAVILLE, November 28. One of the most disastrous spectacular fjres experienced, occurred on Saturday night at 7 o’clock, when a large bulk store, brick and iron building, packed with produce, ironmom gery, oils, paints, and groceries, and valued at about £lO,OOO, was practically totally destroyed by fire, caused by the overturning of a blow lamp used in connection with an oil engine, which generates electricity for the whole premises. The lamp set fire to the engineroom in the centre of the building, and the flames soon spread to the whole of the store. The fire brigade was soon on the scene, and had every available lead of hose in play, but owing to the inflammable nature of the goods, had a hard task in subduing the flames. It took three hours before all danger was passed. They were, however, successful in confining the fire to the stare room. The front shop, which contained several thousand pounds worth of valuable stock, was only slightly damaged by water and smoke. The building and contents were insured in the New Zealand Office, but the total amount is not available. It is estimated that the loss above the insurance amounts to fully £2OOO. HOUSE ON FIRE. GISBORNE, November 26. On Saturday evening a five-roomed house in Elm Street, Mangapapa, occupied by B. Lawson, and owned by Miss N' W. Gleave, was, with its contents, totally destroyed by fire. The house was insured for £450 in the Sun Office. ARSON WITH ROBBERY.

SYDNEY, November 28. While attention was directed to a fire at a butcher’s shop at Woollongong, a burglar entered a jeweller’s shop in the same street. Two men attempted to detain him, but the intruder drew a revolver, fired four shots slightly wounding both men, and then decamped without securing any booty. When the fire was controlled at the butcher’s shop it was found that the cash register was rifled, but had contained only a few shillings. Investigation at the jeweller’s revealed that a fire had started in one of the rooms of the building. There has been a series of fires in the town during the last few weeks, and the police are of the opinion that a gang is working the district, combining arson with robbery.