FIRE IN TOY SHOP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19827, 23 December 1927, Page 10

FIRE IN TOY SHOP.

NARROW ESCAPE OF GIRLS. | magic cave in flames. AN EMPLOYEE SUSTAINS BURNS. : - ■ » . 1 ' ' \' y •' " ' ' ! ''< ,' [by telegraph —press association.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. A fire broke out in Mr. Tosman Aitken's Book Arcade in Courtenay Place just after four o'clock this afternoon and the occupants of the Magic Cave had a narrow escape from death. The cave was manufactured of highlyinflammable matter and burst into flames at once. Two fairies, young girls of 13 and 14, escaped only just in time. The clothes of Father Christmas caught fire, but he managed to free himself from the heavy gown in time to evade serious injury.

One employee of the firm, Mrs. N. Carroll, was burned on the left upper arm, face and neck, and was taken by the ambulance to her home in Willis Street. The other girls reached the street without injury. The fire brigade was promptly on the scene and suppressed the fire in half an hour. Tarpaulins were spread over the counters in the toy department and this saved much of the stock from serious damage. The outbreak was localised on the first floor, where the building ana stock were damaged by fire, smoke and water. The stock in the book department on the ground floor escaped injury, but most of the goods upstairs suffered.

The stock was insured for £5250 in the Standard Insurance Company and for £253 in the Victoria Insurance Company's Office. The fittings were insured for £SOO in the Standard Office. HOMESTEAD DESTROYED. HURRIED ESCAPE OF FAMILY. [by telegraph.— press association.] ASHBTJB.TON, Thursday. The Cor war Homestead, the residence of Mr. R. G. McLean, at Barr Hill, was burned to the ground at 3.30 a.m. today. The fire had such a good hold when discovered that the family had to make a hurried exit iia their night attire. Nothing was saved and only the chimneys and a concrete wall remain. The building was a large two-storey residence built many years ago. LOSS OF A DWELLING. ADJOINING HOUSE SAVED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. 3 NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursday. A four-roomed dwelling at Tikorangi, owned by Mr D. Griffiths, was totally destroyed by fire. Only the strenuous efforts of a bucket brigade formed by neighbours saved an adjoining six-roomed house, also belonging to Mr. Griffiths, from destruction. The building destroyed was insured for £350 and furniture and piano for £l5O, with the New Zealand Insurance Company.