QUEEN STREET BLOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22009, 16 January 1935, Page 10

QUEEN STREET BLOCK

GREAT DAMAGE DONE BRIGADES' DIFFICULT TASK LARGE CROWDS ASSEMBLE One of the most disastrous fires experienced in Auckland during recent years occurred in Queen Street early last evening, causing great damage to the premises of Woolworths, Limited, and, to a lesser extent, to the adjoining blocks, Cooke's Building and the Imperial Building. The fire broke out in Woolworths* shop shortly after 6 p.m. and crowds flocked into Queen Street to watch firemen from practically all the metropolitan stations wage a battle with the flames. The firemen faced a difficult and dangerous task and the gathering of a great crowd in Queen Street also presented elements of danger. There were several cases of injury and three men had! to be taken to hospital for treatment. The insurance on Woolworths' stock is £26,300 and the stock is considered to be a total loss. In addition the building was extensively damaged. Of the adjoining premises, Cooke's Building suffered most, the flames spreading to rooms occupied by a number of tenants. There was onljr minor damage to the Imperial Building. A complete survey of the buildings will be made to-day and until this is completed it is impossible to estimate the full loss involved. , Late last night it was reported that the fire had been completely subdued. A large detachment of firemen and police remained on duty in and about the damaged buildings throughout the night.