EARLY MORNING FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15768, 17 November 1914, Page 9

EARLY MORNING FIRE.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.

Fubther particulars concerning the fire! which practically destroyed a shop and! two rooms in Patteson Street on Sunday < morning, show that at least two of the occupants Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Thomaseu —had narrow escapes from death. They were sleeping in a room just above the shop, and on Saturday right when they went to bed there were no signs of smoke or fire. At about 1.15 a.m. on Sunday, they were awakened by shouts from the footpath, and found their bedroom full of smoke. Retreat to the back stairs was cut off, and all they could do was to lean out of their bedroom window, which faced the street, and call for assistance. Luckily, the occupant of the shop next door had made a wooden ladder but a few days previously, and this was hastily commissioned. It proved to be just long enough, and Mr. and Mrs. Thornasen had barely escaped by it when the floor of their bedroom was burnt through and collapsed.

For some time prior to the fire the Thomasens had been conducting a fruit, confectionery, and "soft" drinks business on the premises, and all their stock and furniture —which was insured' for £150 with the R.oyai Insurance Companywas destroyed.

The building concerned is a two-storeved structure, comprising three shops and a dwelling. One of the shops was occupied by Mr. E. Culbert as a fish shop, one by Mr. J. Aggars as a bootmaking shop, and the other was occupied by the Thomasens. Although the whole building was more or less damaged by the fire, Mr. Thomasen's portion was the only one to suffer severelv. It was practically burnt out; only scorched walls remain.

Mrs. J. Matthews, of Ponsonbv, the owner of the premises, states that she is a heavy loser, her only insurance being £350 with the Northern Assurance Company. The cause of the fire is unknown.