FIRES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15533, 6 February 1911, Page 9

FIRES.

A fire occurred at 11.30 a.ni. yesterday in an office occupied by Mr S. T. Patterson, typist, situated in a building near the Shades Hotel, in Hereford Street, and owned hv Messrs Tonks, Norton and Company. Mr Patterson and a friend named Vernehan were in the office and lit a gas store near which an open tin of benzine was standing. The benzine became ignited and exploded, and Mr Vernehan ran out and called Constable M'Tvenzio, who gave the alarm. The Fire Brigade confined tho firo to tho room, which was completely gutted, and Mr W. Hoban’s office on the ground-floor was also damaged by the water. Messrs Patterson and Vernehan were severely burnt about the hands and arms in their efforts to subdue the flames, and Constable M’Kenzio took them to the hospital. The insurances were not ascertainable yesterday.