EPIDEMIC OF FIRES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 46, 6 February 1928, Page 5

EPIDEMIC OF FIRES

MIDNIGHT OUTBREAK HEAVY DAMAGE BY WATER. GOOD SAVE BY BRIGADE. rPer Frees Association). Auckland, Feb 6. Fir* in the top floor of Mining Chamber!, Queen street, near midnight on Sunday caused hundreds of pounds damage by watei to Hugh Wright Ltd.’s drapery stock on the ground floor. Although pan of the roof collapsed above the Belmont Tearooms on the third storey and the floor was well alight wljen the brigade arrived, a notgjjje saj-e was made. Extensive damage was done to offices on the second floor. Smoke and water also poured into other premises pn the ground floor—Mrs Ansenne. a florist, and Jamieson's, a tobacconist shop. Insurance on Hugh Wright’s stock was £6OOO, in the Phoenix. Hugh Wright’s building was owned by the Dingwall Estate- the insurances are not available. The Mining Chambers building was owned by Hugh Wright Ltd. and was insured for £4OOO in the Phoenix and £15(3 > n the North, em Union offices. The damaged offices were occupied by I lerman and Burton, solicitors: T. R, Smytheman. accountant: Rennett and and solicitors: Razlight Sums Ltd.: and John Graham and Co. builders and land agente. The damage to Wright’s stock was extensive ?nd is not yet estimated. OUTBREAK AT MARTON. (Per Press Association). Marton, Feb. 6 Fire early on Sunday morning destroyed the stables of Clarke, a earner, of Hunterville, and severely damaged a tailor’s shop ownej) by W. Hodge and the offices of the Farmers’ Distributing Company. The flames had * strong hold when discovered. As the buildings were very old and as dry as tinder there was little chanoe of saving the contents, which included two motor cars, a motor lorry, a motor cycle, several gigs and stable equipment. The firemen were able to keep the flames in check and apart from the damaged premises named no further loss was sustained. The loss to Clarke. Hodge and the Farmers' is considerable. It is covered by insurance. The flame ß lit the country up for miles around and despite the early hour a large crowd gathered. The fire raged for several hours The total damage is estimated at £3OOO.

ANOTHER ONE. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO FURNITURE FACTORY. (Per Press Association). Auckland. Feb. 6. Damage estimated at from £B,OOO to £lO,OOO was done by fire ag 4.30 o'clock this morning at Tonson Garlick’s furniture factory, Karangahape road. All that remains of the ground floor is a mass of burned and charred carpets lino materials, and furniture and three upturned safes. The insurances are £19,000 (1.0. A. £BOOO, Ocean £4OOO, Lloyd’s £4OOO, South British £3OOOl. INVERCARGILL GARAGE DAMAGED (Per Press Association). Invercargill. Feb. 6. i At 2.30 o’clock this morning fire was discovered in the back portion ot Russell’s garage. The flames had a good hold when discovered by the caretaker, whose prompt action in calling the brigade and using a hose on the premises prevented the flames spreading, the fire being confined to a part of the building used for storing bulk spare parts and second-hand vehicles. Four cycles, 23 cars and trucks, and nine cases of motor accessories were more or less damaged. Approximately £4OOO damage was done to the stock and about £2OOO to the building. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. The total insurances are £9OOO on the building, on the cars £116,000 (?). and general stock £B4OO, all in the United office.