SERIES OF FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15003, 27 May 1912, Page 8

SERIES OF FIRES.

OUTBREAK AT WAIHI.

A BOARDINGHOUSE BURNED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Sunday. A destructive fire occurred in the Carlton boardinghonse, a largo two-storeyed building, situated at the corner of Seddon and Mueller Streets, at about 2.30 o'clock this morning. The house, which is owned by Mr. D. Donaldson, and conducted by Mrs. McWilliams, as completely gutted, only the charred shell remaining, and had it not been a still night, with hardly a breath of wind, tut extensive block of shops would in all probability have been destroyed. The outbreak was first discovered by- a Mrs. King, who was sleeping in a bedroom on the ground floor, close to the kitchen, and on opening the door she found the kitchen full of smoke. The alarm was immediately given, and a number of the boarders succeeded in saving their personal effects, though some suffered loss, and practically the whole of Mis. McWilliams's furniture was destroyed. The fire brigade turned out promptly, and did splendid work in preventing a spread of tha conflagration- The wall of the adjoining shop, occupied by Mrs. Bestic (fruiterer) was badly charred, and .damage to the extent of come £15 to £20 was done to the stock and contents, mainly by water. The exact origin of the fire is not clear, but it is believed to have been caused through the ignition by ashes of some rubbish left in a box just outside the kitchen door on the ground floor. Mrs. McWilliams's furniture was insured for £200 with the Norwich Union Office, but her loss will far exceed that amount. It is understood that the building was insured, but tho office and amount are not,.known, the owner i--r. Donaldson) being at present on a business visit to Wellington.

GROCER'S SHOP GUTTED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wanganui, Sunday. A fire broke out this morning Sn the premises of Hodson Bros., grocers, of Dub-lin-street, and the shop, a one-storey building, was completely gutted. Hodson Bros., who live on the premises, just escaped in time, with but few belongings.

The shop, belonging to Mr. F. J. Johns, was insured in the Guardian Office, for £225, while policies on the stock, cash register, scales, and fixtures, brought Hodson's insurance up to £315. This amount, however, does not nearly cover their loss. . TEAROOMS DESTROYED, [by telegraph.—press association.] Gore, Saturday. Brice's tearooms were destroyed by fire at four a.m. to-day. The insurance ,on the stock and effects is £520 in the .Victoria office. GENERAL STORE BURNED.. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] - iNVERCARam,, Saturday A fire completely destroyed Messrs. Gardiner and Thompson's general store at Otautan at 3.30 o'clock this morning. The insurances are-.—Building, £700; stock, £1150 ; furniture, £350; all in the South British. Nothing was saved. .