FIRES IN AUCKLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 29, 4 January 1926, Page 3

FIRES IN AUCKLAND.

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED

I Per Press Association. i AUCKLAND, Jan. 1 I A series of six fires, most of them of a minor nature, occurred in Auckland and the suburbs during Thursday and to-day. Damage estimated at between £2OOO 1 and £3OOO was caused by an outbreak in the galvanising and tin department of Hardley’s Lid. plumbers’ suppliers and manulacturers of dairy iequisites, in Broadway, Newmarket, on New Year’s Eve. Tne lire spread to several jars of sulphuric acid stored among the machinery and as they burst with the intense heat they released dangerous fumes. Fortunately the firemen had been warned and although a few were affected, none was overpowered. A large stock of palm oil caught fire, making matters worse. The brigade had a strenuous fight, extruding over three hours, before the outbreak was subdued. Two outbreaks, suspected to be caused by incendiarists, occurred in the city the same night at 10.30. The brigade was called to Edson Chambers High Street, and a box of straw in the basement was found to be on fire. The box was near a gas meter and in a dangerous position. Had it not been for a passer-by’s discovery of the fire serious damage might have resulted. Half an hour later the brigade received a call to the. City Chambers, Queen Street. Fires had been started in some cupboards on the second and third floors, but two occupiers of the building fortunately discovered them.