A BIG BLAZE

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9093, 12 July 1915, Page 6

A BIG BLAZE

.m V IN AUCKLAND FACTORIES OTHER BUILDINGS HAVE NARROW ESCAPE. Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 11. Damage approximating £12,000 was done by a fire which broke out early on Saturday evening in the triangular block buildings, near the Town Hall, between Lome, Rutland, and Wellesley streets. The lire originated in the three-storey furniture factory in Lome street, occupied by Tonson, Garlick, and Company, and bad a very strong hold before the brigade arrived. Soon after the firemen began to pour water into the mass of flame, a water-main in the vicinity burst, and the water pressure decreased to such an extent that the hose could not throw it much beyond the second storey. It is thought probable that this allowed the fire to spread more readily via adjoining back premises to Plummer Bros.’ three-storey hat factory in Rutlaud street. The firemen attacked it here again, and succeeded in confining it to the top storey, though the stock and plant in the lower flats was damaged by, water. The firemen also extinguished Hie fire as it was getting a hold ou the back of one ot the Technical School buildings adjoining the hat factory. Then the flames were found to hare spread, in the opposite direction to the largo three-storey building, next the furniture factory in Lome street, and secured a strong hold in the second otorey, used as an, adjunct to Plummer Bros.’ hat factory. Chemicals and oils were apparently stored there, for the fire burned with great intensity,- but the firemen managed to save a large motor garage on the ground 3oor, owned by G. W. Spragg. The last of about £IO,OOO worth of pmate cars had been removed only a few minutes before the fire broke out. The third floor was unoccupied. Meantime the inmates of the Salvation Army’s People’s Palace and the Y.M.C.A. in Wellesley street (the backs of whose promises ran into the middle of the affected block) wero making a hurried exit with goods and chattels, and a willing crowd began to carry out furniture. The back windows of these premises wore broken by the heat, but by this time the firo was under control and did not spread further.

The fire furnished a magnificent spectacle, flames shooting high and masses of gigantic sparks being - carried ove-r adjacent buildings and Albert Park by a fairly strong wind. Huge crowds collected to watch tho fire, which burned for about an hour and a-half. Its origin was unknown. Insurances are:—Tonson and Garlick - (offices unknown)— Machinery .<IB9OO, buildings £3600. Plummer Brothers—Rutland street plant, Guardian, £2050; Commercial Union, £160; Liverpool and London and Globe. £1031; plant in Lome street and premises, Liverpool and London ,and Globe, £1250. Plummer Bros—Premises in Rutland street (owned by estate of W. Crowther). insured for £IOOO in the South British; premises in Lorne street (similarly owned), insured for £2500 in the South British.

Spragg had £IOOO in the South British on his stock, which was practically undamaged.