FIRE IN CUSTOM-STREET WEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13304, 10 October 1906, Page 7

FIRE IN CUSTOM-STREET WEST.

P. BOCK AND CO.'S PREMISES DESTROYED. The premises of P. Bock and Co.. manufacturing chemists, situated in, Custom-street West, were the scene of a serious conflagration yesterday afternoon., A large and valuable stock was destroyed, and the building was gutted. The fire was accidentally caused. While Mr. W. J. Culpan, one of the employees of the firm, was heating some linoleum polish (" " shine) in a kerosene tin, at about half-past fcur, the polish ignited, and flaring up set fire to several other. tins 'of the same material standing near by. Mr. Culpan immediately proceeded to-the telephone to ring up the fire brigade, but was unable to get the station for some time owing to the station telephone being engaged. He got the station at last, however, and the. brigade turning out quickly soon arrived upon the scene. The. flames in the meantime, however, had spread rapidly and enveloped the whole building. The, building was thoroughly gutted, and nothing wa.s saved. The stock, which was valued at £1200, was insured in the Royal Exchange office for £300, which represents a total loss,of £900. The building was a wooden one. and was insured in the same office for £150, or about £100 below its estimated value. The premises of Musscy Brothers (Limited), engineers, boilermakors, etc., adjoining, also caught lire, and the pattern shop was gutted before the brigade were able to quench the flames. Massey Brothers' exact loss is notknown. FIRE IN GREY LYNN. The City Fire Brigade received a call from Newton at about half-past seven last evening, but on turning, out they discovered that their attendance was not required there, but in the Great North Road, where an incipient fire had been discovered in the cellar of a two-storeyed dwelling. Notwithstanding that it was in the borough of Grey Lynn, the City Fire Brigade, proceeded to the scene and extinguished the flames, thus preventing what might have developed into a serious fire. There was no appearance of the Grey Lynn Brigade. The damage done was small. FIRE AT FRANKTON JUNCTION, About one o'clock yesterday morning a fire took place at the Frankton Junction railway station (writes our Hamilton correspondent). The porter's and guard's rooms weie totally destroyed with their contents,' principally uniforms and other property belonging to the platform staff. The origin of the fire is unknown. RAILWAY GOODS SHED BURNED. DELAY IN GETTING WATER. [by telegraph.—it.ess association.] CHRisrcHcncn. Tuesday. One of the railway goods sheds was totally destroyed by fire this evening. The shed was used for the storage of the cutward goods, and was well stocked at the time of the outbreak. The fire, when discovered, had secured a firm hold, and it, spread rapidly owing to- the delay in getting water. The railway tank was empty, being under repair, and a connection had to be made with the Sydenham high pressure. •; The loss will be considerable, but details were not available to-night. "■■■"■ I;;. :;