FIRES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 230, 15 September 1911, Page 3

FIRES.

WELLINGTON GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. STAMP OFFICE GUTTED. MYllington, Sept. 14. A fire which caused a great, deal of concern broke out to-night in the Stamps Office at the back of the big Government buildings between Lambton quay and Featherstone street. There was a good deal of smoke, and this was blown by the south-westerly wind right through the main building, the impression was that there was a fire in the big building. Fortunately this was not so. The building where the fire occurred is an annexe to the main building. Fires had been going in the fireplaces all day as usual, and it is evident that sparks escaped from the chimney ami lodged between the roof and the ceilings. The outbreak was discovered just before 11 o'clock. The patent fire alarm worked splendidly, indicating immediately throughout the whole of !he buildings where the fire was lorn ted. The fire was got under control quiikly. though the annexe was practically gutted. Tb.e building was used for tb.e stamps, death duties, and companies and provident societies registration, and for the embossing of cheque stamps. Any deeds owned by tlie public were locked in iron safes, and will be undamaged. There will be < onsiderable inconvenience through the destruction of documents. but so far as is known at present it is m>t thought any papers of great importance have been burned.