AUCKLAND’S BIG BLAZE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 17 February 1931, Page 9

AUCKLAND’S BIG BLAZE

“NEVER HAD FIRE LIKE IT” DAMAGE AT LEAST £IOO,OOO LESSON TO BUSINESS PEOPLE. 'By Telegraph—Press Association.) , AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. The damage clone by the two liras which raged simultaneously in Hobson and Symonels Streets last night was estimated to-day as at least £IOO,OOO. The. insurances are as tollnn : Modern Shoes, Ltd., contents £4O 000, building £BOOO, machine £330; Marion Engineering Co.. Ltd., contents £4750, building £2000; Lichensetein, Arnold son and Co., Ltd. contents £14.650. building £12,700; Cairns and Woodward, contents £4850, building £9000; .T. Partington, owner ot the windmill, £3OO. “We have never had a fire like it in Auckland in my experience,” said Superintendent Wilson “The block risk was so great ancl the fire had such a big hold when we arrived that had there been a heavy wind I can onlv conjecture what might have happened. Tt will teach business people a lesson. , , , “These big buildings, built hack to hack, have light spaces between them and unprotected windows. _ It thev had iron shutters closed at night the" danger would be greatly less. The destruction of the premises of Modern Shoes, Ltd., Hobson Street, throws 150 employees out of work, It was one of the largest shoe factories in New Zealand. It is reported that new plant must be secured from England. , r The number of other employees ot the other companies burned out was not ascertainable to-day.