DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19805, 28 November 1927, Page 8

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

OUTBREAK AT DARGAVILLE. BULK STORE BURNED DOWN. 4 EXTENSIVE DAMAGE RESULTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DARGAVILLE. Sunday. Extensive damage was caused by a fire which broke out at seven o'clock last evening in the bulk store of Wairoa Stores, Limited, situated in the centre of Dargaville. The fire was caused through the upsetting of a blow lamp, which was being used to start an oil engine used for generating electricity. The flames quickly spread through the building, which contained much inflammable material, including oil, paint, groceries, produce and general merchandise. The fire assumed spectacular proportions and raged for nearly four hours. The brigade did excellent work and succeeded in saving the front portion of the building. Only the brick and iron shell of the back portion remained. The store contained many thousands of pounds' worth of goods, and Christmas stock, to the value of £SOOO, was in process of being opened up. The building and stock were insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company, but the loss is stated' to be at least £ISOO in excess of the insurance. MOUNT ALBERT HOUSE SUFFERS. NEIGHBOURS SAVE MOTOR-LORRY. A single-storey wooden dwelling in Lyon Avenue, Mount Albert, owned and occupied by Mr. T. Long, was badly damaged by fire about nine o'clock on Saturday evening. The fire had a strong hold when the brigade arrived and the house was gutted before the flames were suppressed. Mr. Long was away from home at the time, and the alarm was given by neighbours, who were instrumental in saving a motor-lorry from a nearby shed. The house was insured in the State Fire Office for £IOOO, and the furniture for £250 in the Reliance Office.

BRIGADE CALLED TWICE. APARTMENT HOUSE OUTBREAKS. Two calls within 24 hours were received by the City Fire Brigade during the week: end to outbreaks or fire which occurred in two adjoining wooden dwellings used as an apartment house at 25 and 27, Randolph Street, Newton, owned and occupied by Mr. A. Davis and Mr. J. Davis, respectively. The first outbreak occuired shortly after six o'clock on Saturday evening. The stairway and the walls of two rooms were damaged before the fire was suppressed. The brigade was called to the same premises shortly after mid-day yesterday. It was fouud the flames had again broken out under the boards of the first floor. Little further damage was caused. Particulars of insurance on the building are not available. The contents were insured for £175 in the Alliance Office. DWELLING AT GISBQR.NE, DESTRUCTION OF COTTAGE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] GISBORNE, Sunday. A five-roomed house in Elm Street, Mangapapa, occupied by Mr. B. Lawson, and owned by Miss N. W. Cleave, was, with its contents, totally destroyed by fire last evening. The house was insured for £450 in the Insurance Office of Australia, and the furniture for £IBO in the Sun Office.

A HOMESTEAD DESTROYED. ABSENCE OF OCCUPANTS. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] HAMILTON. Sunday. The large homestead at Waingaro, owned by tho Diinmore Estate arid occupied by its manager, Mr. H. Hegh, was totally destroyed by firs at noon to-day, together with the contents. The occupants were absent at tho time.