DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19032, 1 June 1925, Page 8

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

BLAZE AT ST. HELIERS BAY. BUSINESS PREMISES DAMAGED. EARLY MORNING OUTBREAK], Fire considerably damaged a tinroomed wooden business building en tho St. Heliers Bay waterfront at about three o'clock yesterday morning." A chemist's shop, occupied by Mr. G.. Maxwell, and a storeroom, occupied by Mr. A. H, Sherwood, proprietor of tho Balmoral tearooms, were gutted. Smoke and water slightly damaged tho interior of the tearooms. Living rooms nfc this rear of tho building occupied by Mr.; Sherwood were little affected. When tho local fire brigade arrived the •flames had a strong hold of Mr. M. Maxwell's shop. The brigade, however, soon subdued the fire and prevented it from spreading. The building, which is owned by Mr* W. Ward Baker, of 15, View' Road, Mount Eden, is insured for £7OO in tho Phoenix Office. A chimney at tho residence of Mr. A< G. Cook, at 25, Omahu Road, Remuefa, resulted in tho City and Parnell Firo Brigades receiving a cull at' 7.47 o'clock on Saturday morning. Tho flames wero extinguished with a chimney pump before any damage was done. Tho City Brigade was called to a curtain firo at a house in Kingston Street lit about ten o'clock on Saturday evening. The flames wero promptly subdued. A rubbish firo in an old two-storeyed wooden shed at the residence of Mr. J. Crosby, 15, Milton. Road, Mount Eden, vvas suppressed by the Mount Eden Brigade at about seven o'clock on Saturday evening. Practically no damago was done. The cause of tho outbreak is not known. LAKGE HOTEL BURNED. . BOARDERS ESCAPE SAFELY. ' [B? TELEGRAPH-.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] GJSBORNE. Sunday.' Iho Tawhiti Hoiiel at Waipiro Bay, a large two-storey modern structure of 20 rooms, overlooking tho ocean, was completely destroyed by fire, with tho contents, at a late hour last night. It is stated that the firo started on tho bottom floor. There wore nine' boarders at tho hotel, and a,ll escaped safely. The property was owned by Mr. J. F. Pettie, of Te Araroa, the licensee being Mrs. McCulloJigh. s The insurances" arc New Zealand Insurance Company, ,£3OOO on tho building, £6OO on the electric plant, £2OO on the engine house and wash-house, and, £l5O on Mrs. McCullough's personal furniture. The United Company, £LOOO on the building. Tho Commercial Union! £BOO on the furniture, and £lso'on thd[ stores, ' EEANKTON HiDUSE BTJMTED. A' SUGGESTED EXPLOSION. [BZ TELEGRAI'K. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J HAMILTON,;. Sunday. ! 'A five-roomed residence in Higgens Street, Frank'ton, was destroyed by fire shortly after 9.30 this evening. Tho house, which was unoccupied at the time, was owned by Mr. M. Irving, who resides next door. The Hamilton firo brigade was summoned, but by the timrt it arrived the firo had a strong hold. As the building was beyond the borough water area it was necessary to use tho motor turbine pump at tho nearest main, soms 2000 ft. of hoso being run out to reach the fire. Tho speed with which, this was done reflected great credit on the brigade, which was successful in preventing the fire spreading to adjacent houses. Prior to the arrival of the brigade some anxiety was felt for the safety of tho house occupied by Mr. Irving. A volunteer force of fire-fighters, with buckets and wet blankets, had a difficult task' in getting the flames under control. Despite their efforts ail tho windows on tho sido of the house nearest the fire were broktn . by the heat and the wall was scorched, The burned house, which was valutd at £BOO, was insured in the Royal Exchange Office for £4OO. There was practically no furniture in the house, tho previous tenants having left last Wednesday. The causo of the fire is unknown, but a neighbour who was the first to notice the outbreak states thai, he heard what appeared to be an explosion inside the building immediately prior to.ono side of the house bursting" into_ flames. The ; police are investigating the matter.* y■ : i '