DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN DAYSTREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10901, 4 November 1898, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN DAYSTREET.

TWO HOUSES BURNED DOWN.

INCIPIENT FIRES THROUGH SPARKS.

ON SHINGLE ROOFS. Yesterday morning about ten o'clock, the Albert-street firebell gave out an alarm, the fire proving to be in Day-street, a short distance from the Congregational Church, Beres-ford-street, and was not suppressed until two houses had been burned to the ground, which were occupied respectively by Mr. James Moms and Mrs, Aze. The moral of the fire, like that a few months ago at Ponsonby, is the danger of having shingled roofs, three or four incipient fires having been started on the roofs of houses several hundred yards away through sparks alighting on the shingles. Fortunately these were observed in time before they had developed to any serious extent, and were extinguished either by the house-owners, the general public, or the fire brigade. The salvage corps, under Captain Field, were also early on the ground. The fire had its origin in a seven-roomed house belonging to Mrs. Hanson, wife of Mr, W. Hanson, builder. It was occupied by Mr. Morris, caterer. He had been catering on the previous evening at the Pitt-street Oddfellows' Hall, and went over to the hall yesterday morning, with his assistant, to clear up. Shortly before ten o'clock he left for the hall, locking up, leaving a fire in the kitchen, and some coppers of water on for heating, in order to have a bath on return. Mr. Hanson called to collect the rent, but found the place locked up. He noticed smoke oozing out at the sides of the building, and getting an axe from a neighbour, broke open the door, but was unable to penetrate into the building, because of the smoke and flames. Apparently the fire had originated in or near the fireplace. The alarm was given by two lads named Jerome Furlong and W. Winter to the Karangahape Road fire station, and also by Mrs. Fawcett, of tho Naval and Family Hotel, to the Albert-street fire brigade station. Owing to the strong westerly breeze it was seen that there was no possibility of saving Morris' house. In consoquence, the fire spread to the adjacent houses. The house on the right of Morris, that occupied by Mrs. Ratcliffe, was soon cleared of furniture by the neighbours. .The house on the left, occupied by Mrs. Aze, was soon in flames, and it was only possible to save tlie furniture in the lower part of the house. The fire brigade, under Superintendent Hughes, succeeded in preventing the extension of the fire, but Morris' house was destroyed as well as the furniture. Mrs. Aze's house is practically destroyed also. As regards Mrs. Ratcliffe's house, the damage has been confined to the charring of one of the .walls, and a little injury to the shingled roof. Among the incipient fires arising from shingled roofs were those at the Congregational Parsonage, occupied by the Rev. Joseph Parker, and that at Mrs. Sparman's, in Beresford-strtet, and at the residence of Mr. Litchfield, music teacher. All-of these were promptly extinguished as soon as observed by the firemen or the public. Mrs. Hanson had only £100 on her property, which is valued at £350, so that she loses considerably.. Mr. Morris, who lost everything, was insured for £100 in the United. His loss will be about the same amount. The house is owned by Mr. Charles Williamson. Mr. Mormond has £100 in the South British on Mrs. Sparman's house, but that lady's effects are uninsured. Mi. J. B. Henry, a lodger with Mr. Morris, loses £20 worth of effects, and Mr. James Chandler, a fellowlodger, loses £30 . worth, including a gold watch and chain. A detachment of police, under Sergeants Kelly and Walker, assisted in protecting the stored furniture in the street, and in keeping the crowd back, so as to leave the firemen unhampered in their efforts to suppress the fire.