FIRE AT EPSOM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8960, 18 August 1892, Page 5

FIRE AT EPSOM.

Aaon half-past eight last evening a glare of tire was seen iu the direction of Epsom, and the Pitt-street firebell rang out an alarm, but as the fire was out of the Auckland Fire Brigade district, no notice was taken of it. Captain Field, of the Salvage Corps, rode out on horseback, but the tire was over when he got there.

Constable Finnerty, of the Newmarket station, went to the fire, which proved to be in Brown-street, Epsom, in a building built some sit years ago as a brewery or soda water and cordial factory, but never used as such, and'owned by Mr. W. R. Sutton,' of the North Shore.' A man named Mackinlay, employed at Hancock's Brewery, lived iu a small place adjacent, and cooked his food at the tire-place in the unoccupied brewery. From inquiries made it appears that Mackinlay had returned from Hancock's Brewery to the house, had his evening meal, and left about half-past seven to go somewhere or other, and did not turn up at the tire, and, therefore, Constable Finnerty was not able last night to get any particulars as to how"he left the place. Mr. G. Sutton, a brother of Mr. W. R. Sutton, had leased the place from his brother, but never utilised it. He resides in Edinburgh-street, Newton, an on going to him last night he stated that the factory building Was insured in the Victoria Insurance Company for £60, but he could not say whether Ins partner, Mr. W. Buttitude, had insured the plant or not. Mr. Buttitude had formerly lived at the factory, bat he went to Newmarket, and Mackinlay resided adjoining the factory in order to look after it. When the fire was first seen by-some of the residents in the neighbourhood, it appeared tO have got a good hold of the interior of the building, and on going over to take steps to suppress it, the door was found to be locked, and nothing effective could be done to "arrest" the" progress of the fire, which ended in the complete destruction of the building and contents.