FIRE AT WINTER SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 10

FIRE AT WINTER SHOW.

DAMAGE TO EXHIBITS.

GOOD WORK BY BRIGADE.

FLAMES PROMPTLY SUBDUED.

ONLY SMALL LOSS INVOLVED.

An outbreak of fire occurred in the side-show section of the Auckland Winter Exhibition on the Central Wharf shortly after 11.30 o'clock last night. Although the flames spread rapidly to the inside of shed No. 12/ which is chiefly occupied by trade exhibits, the City Fire Brigade was quickly on the scene and prevented the outbreak from assuming large proportions. The exhibition had been closed for some time when the fire was first noticed. All the sheds had been locked, but several men who had been operating the sideshows remained for some time after the evening's crowd had gone. The stalls are situated ipi ths open space between the two northern sheds. The alarm was given by a nightwatchman who saw flames shooting above the roof. Within three minutes the brigade Was on the scene and leads were quickly brought to bear upon the seat of the fire. It was . apparent that the fire had been burning for some time, as the flames had penetrated the wall of the shed in two places and had also lodged in the roof. The whole shed rapidly filled with dense smoke and the firemen could not., see for more than a few feet. The fire originated directly behind two stalls inside the shed. The Monarch Gramophones display suffered considerably and several machines were badly burned. The stall of the Standardised Furniture Company, Ltd., of New South Wales, also suffered, although the firemen were able to remove much material from both exhibits. Stalls in the vicinity suffered from water and smoke, although no serious damage was caused. It was stated by the.exhibition authorities that the sheds would be open to the public as usual to-day. No difficulty would be experienced in restoring the shed to order. It is not known whether the damaged displays were insured, but no policy on exhibits is held by. the exhibition authorities. WHAKAREWAREWA TEA KIOSK. LESSEE A HEAVY LOSER. [BT TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. J ROTORUA, Tuesday. A fire which occurred at about five o'clock this morning .destroyed the tea kiosk at Whakarewarewa, opposite the Geyser Hotel. When the brigade reached the scene the building was burning fiercely and nothing could be done to save it. .Attention was directed to saving the adjoining hall and carved house. The building was owned by Messrs. L. D. Nathan, Auckland. Mrs. Donaldson, who was the lessee of the kiosk, is a heavy loser, the whole of the fittings and furnishings, and a piano, being destroyed. The insurance on the contents was £225 in the Yorkshire Office. PREMISES AT MORRINSVILLE. OUTBREAK QUICKLY SUPPRESSED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN . CORRESPONDENT.] MORRINSVILLE. Tuesday. An outbreak of fire occurred last evening in a building in Canada Street, owned by Messrs. Dignan, Armsti-ong, Jordan and Jordan,, of Auckland, and occupied by the Morrinsville branch of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and Mr. F. N. Stringfield, motor carrier.

The brigade was promptly on the scene and found a spare room in - the centre of the building burning fiercely. The fire was quickly suppressed. It was at first feared that several lorries in a garage at the rear were in danger, and a number of volunteers dragged the vehicles out.

THAMES BUNGALOW INVOLVED. WATER DAMAGES CONTENTS. [by telegraph.—Own correspondent.] THAMES, Tuesday. Shortly after 10 o'clock last evening, and at the height of a violent easterly gale, a six-roomed bungalow in Tararu Road, owned by the Southern Cross Building Society, Auckland, and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Scrimgeour, caught alight in a corner'of the roof by a chimney. The outbreak was not noticed by the occupants until the roaring of the chimney, during a lull in the storm, indicated that something was amiss. It was then discovered that a corner of the roofing was well alight, and an alarm quickly summoned the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade. In the meantime a small army of willing helpers had removed the bulk of the furniture to safety, and, with a strong water pressure, the brigade confined the outbreak to the roof. The flames were under control within half an hour.

The contents of the dwelling, which were not insured, were saved, although much damaged by water.

EXCITEMENT AT PICTURES. FLAMES IN OPERATING BOX. [BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HUNTER VILLE. Tuesday. Some excitement occurred at Argyle, Hall, Hunterville, during the progress of a picture entertainment, when a film burst into flames., For a moment .the operating box was a mass of fire, and the large audience was on its feet. Some of the less calm made for the doors, but the prompt use of an extinguisher soon quelled the outbreak. Smoke from the burning film poured into the hall, and it was some time before the air cleared sufficiently to enable the programme to proceed.