SERIOUS FIRE IN CUBASTREET.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 826, 30 December 1887, Page 32

SERIOUS FIRE IN CUBASTREET.

A fire broke out last Friday morning in a block of buildings owned by Mr Edward Dixon, in Cuba-street. It originated in a bakehouse attached to the premises of Mr George Mawson, baker and confectioner. The fire was first discovered by Mr H. Levy, grocer, who occupies the premies next door. He was awakened by his wife, who informed him that she heard a sound like the oraokling of wood. On going to the back window Mr Levy saw the flames issuing from the roof of the bakehouse. Be at once removed his family, and then gave an alarm. The fire rapidly Bpread to the main building, and in a very short time the roof of Mr Ziman’s pawnbroker a shop, which is on the other side of Mr Mawson s, was on fire. The supply of water, it appears, was very small at first, and it is asserted that, had there been a good supply at the outset, the flames could have been checked. After the alarm had been given, the biigade was soon on the Beene. Although the firemen were placed at some difficulty m getting at the seat of the flames, they did not work at all well. About twenty minutes after the alarm was given, the flames burst through the roofs of the three shops almost simultanoously, and it appeared that nothing could save the buildings. Had there been any wind it is almost certain that a very serious fire would have occurred. Afteraboutanhour s battling, however, the brigade managed to get the flames under, but not before the up stairs portion of the three shops had been gutted' and the downstairs eonsiderably damaged. Mr Mawson can assign no reason for the outbreak. He states that there had been no fire in the bakehouse since S o’clock on Thursday morning. An employd (Mr Joseph Bentley) left the bakehouse about It pm on the previous night, and everything then appeared quite safe. Mr Levy is a considerable loser by the fire, and he estimates his loss at between £3OO and £4OO over the insurance. His stock was insured in the Victoria Office for £SOO. Mr Mawson, who had only recently taken possession of the premises, had a policy on the stock for £IOO in the Victoria Office. Before removing he had requested the agent to transfer the policy, but up to the time of the fire the transfer had not been effected, ,and he, therefore, is in doubt as to whether the risk still exists. Mr Mawson is a considerable sufferer, as his stock and fittings were damaged to the extent of about £l5O. Mr Ziman s stock, which \is more or less damaged and destroyed by fire and water, is insured for £450 in the Colonial office, and Mr Ziman estimates the damage at several hundred pounds over the insurance. Mr Barber’s premises, which at one time had a narrow escape of sharing the fate of the other buildings, are owned by Mr Pefcford, of Auckland. Considerable damage was done to the premises, hut the stock escaped with but little injury. Some damage was also caused to the stock of Mr Boock, who keeps a tailor's shop next door to Levy’s, and. unfortunately he is uninsured. The buildings are insured for £2OOO in the Victoria office.