DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19495, 26 November 1926, Page 10

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

LARGE DEVONPORT HOUSE. DIFFICULTIES OF BRIGADE. LOW PRESSURE OF WATER. A f wo-storevcd wooden house of 14 rooms at the corner of Ascot Avenue and Vauxhall Road, Devonport, was totally destroyed by fire at about 8.30 yesterday morning. The building, which was owned by Mrs. Burgess, was subdivided into three flats, all of which were occupied, Mrs. Burgess and family residing in one. The first indication of the fire was when flames were observed coming through the fioof of the upper storey. As a steady gale was blowing, the fire soon gained a firm hold. The Devonport fire brigade was quickly on the scene, but as the permanent staff of the brigade comprises only a few members, some time elapsed before the volunteer members, who were engaged in their ordinary work, could reach the fire. A further difficulty was encountered owing to the low water pressure available from some of the hydrant-points, and by the time the brigade was in a position to deal effectively with the fire practically the whole of the building was enveloped in flames. Some of the occupiers of the building were able to remove various effects in the early stages of the outbreak, but the building was eventually reduced to a total loss, practically only the front portion femaining.

The building was insured in the South British Office for £IBOO and Mrs. Burgess' furniture for £SOO in the same office.

OUTBREAK IN CHRISTOHURCH.

MINOR DAMAGE OCCASIONED

[BY telegraph.—own correspondent. ]

CHEISTCITURCH. Thursday

The timely intervention of the City fire brigade early this morning prevented extensive damage being done to the building in Hereford Street owned and occupied by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., and the Unior Assurance Society. The building is a three-storeyed one of brick, and a fire had broken out in a room on the third floor where the papers and stationery were housed. An attempt to fight the fire from the outside proved fruitless and the firemen then made for the interior of the building. Their efforts were hampered by the smoke which filled the corridor leading to the seat of the fire, but the blaze was soon extinguished. \

It is estimated that over £2OO worth of damage was done. Considerable damage was done to the equipment on the second floor owing to the amount of water which had percolated through. The roof was also damaged by smoke and heat. The building is insured for £6900 with the Union Assurance Society.