FIRE IN CITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22933, 11 January 1938, Page 8

FIRE IN CITY

EXPLOSION FOLLOWS LITTLE DAMAGE CAUSED POLICE INVESTIGATIONS Shattering a thick plate glass window, a minor explosion followed an outbreak of fire in the premises of Marshall and Baxter, Limited, indent agents, at 41 High Street, City, at about 5.30 last evening. The glass burst across the pavement, striking the back of a motor-car parked at the kerb and narrowly missing a man and two young women who were passing. A dense cloud of dark smoke followed the breaking of the window. Within a few seconds of the explosion a man from the Auckland Commercial Travellers' Club, situated next to the building in which the outbreak occurred, had broken a street alarm and the call was answered by four fire engines, two from the central station and one each from pirnell and Western Districts. Although the premises were enveloped in smoke, little difficulty was experienced in suppressing the outbreak, a chemical extinguisher and one lead of hose being employed with prompt effect. In a small bulk room quantities of face towels and other goods were found charred and damage had also occurred in the office and the main sample room, which lies directly behind the window blown out by the explosion. t Everything was apparently safe when the premises were closed for the day. Inquiries were commenced by the police after the fire had been extinguished and investigations were conducted last night by Detectives Sneddon and Mahood. Charred boxes and packing cases, containing a variety of goods, were removed to the central police station for inspection. The window in the front of the premises was boarded up and a constable and a fireman were posted in the building. Although stock valued at £BOOO was stored oil the premises, little damage resulted from the fire. Controlled by the Public Trust Office, the building is also occupied on the ground floor by Morgan's Pharmacy and on the first floor by the Progressive Clothing Company, Limited. Neither of these premises was damaged.