BLAZE IN AUCKLAND

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12078, 18 October 1933, Page 2

BLAZE IN AUCKLAND

OUTBREAK IN 'OTFf BLOCK

'VIP •‘Sir STARTED BY MATCHBOX (Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 17 ... Five engines and, over 40 firemen were required fit one" stage to subdue ian outbreak which occurred! at about TO o’clock last . night in the five storied Norfolk Building, fit the corner of Albert and Durham streets.

Throe firms suffered considerable lo,s s by fire or water. These were: Messrs Burns, Sommerville, Limited, merchants ; Messrs Reid and Twinanie Limited, manufacturers’ agents; and Messrs -S. A. Smith and) Company Limited.

A loud explosion followed shortly after the arrival of the brigadesmen. believedl to have been due to spirit in a large drum in the premises of the first named firm, where the fire started 1 . Several firemen were fortun ate to escape injury. However, the outbreak as almost controlled when at 10.30 p.m., flames broke out in another corner of the building and spread rapidly. The fire superintendent then called for reinforcements, and it was 11,30 o’clock before the outbreak was finally controlled. Fortunately, the night was calm, and adjoining buildings were not endangered. The firemen, however, worked at considerable peril in the thick smoke and fierce flames. Some of them worked their way to the unoccupied top story, which wa.?, not damaged, and moved about on the floor above the flames raging in the fourth. j

One man, H. Lunn, 23, had’ his hand severely cut when dozens of window panes, blown out by the explosion, crashed to the street below. Mr W. V. Burnes, managing director, of Messrs Burns, Sommerville said that the whole outbreak was caused when he snapped a matchbox shut and 1 the matches ignited. He dropped the burning box and it fell into some fine straw. His efforts to beat out the flames seemed to give them a better grip. His firm had moved into the building only la,st Friday, and he and a carpenter were working last night. He attempted to telephone the brigade, but was unable to find the telephone: book and had to run up the street to find an alarm box. Roth he and the carpenter, named Wilson, were scorched 1 , and their "iair was singed.

The damage by fire and water is estimated at -27009. Messrs. Reid and Twinamo’s stock and fittings were insured for £6256 with the British Traders. Goods hold in consignment were also insured. Messrs Bums and Som'ervillo’s stock was insured for £IOOO with the Royal Exchange, the policy 'having been taken out only yesterday following tho firm’s removal to new n remises.