FIRE IN BROWN-STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9095, 2 July 1888, Page 5

FIRE IN BROWN-STREET.

TWO HOUSES DESTROYED.

Shortly after two o'clock this morning a fire broke oufc in Brown-street, Ponsonby, in a four-roomed house owned and occupied by James Maguire, and before the flamee could be extinguished not only was the building entirely destroyed but also the adjoining cottage, belonging to John Tonkin, who also occupied it. A third house, the property of James Maccabe, had one side of the roof partly burned, and the interior damaged by water. Maguiro had all his furniture consumed, and in the other cases it was more or less damaged. Maguire was insured for £200 in the South British, on his house only, his furniture being uninsured. Tonkin's house was insured for £150 in the same office, the furniture in his case also being uncovered. Maccabo held a policy oi: £150 in the New Zealand. Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire. Maguire's statement is that ho was awakened by the smoke, and found his house on fire, the flames raging most fiercely in the kitchen, where the outbreak had evidently commenced. He and his wife were only able to get their family of eleven children out before tho whole building was ablaze. They saved nothing. The Newton brigade was the first on the scene, and was followed, after a considerable interval, by tho Auckland brigade, under Superintendent Hughes. The Salvage Corps, under Captain Field, and the police, under Sergeant McMahon, were also present.