THREATENING FIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11736, 25 January 1924, Page 7

THREATENING FIRE

BLAZE IN MASTERTON. SHOPS BURNT. Par Press Association. MASTERTON, January 24. A threatening fire was discovered in the heart of the town at about 10 o'clock to-night, and when tile alarm was given it looked as though there was little hope of saving the building, which was the property of Airs A. Andrews, Mount Albert, Auckland. The theatre crowd was in the street at the time and how the blaze was not noticed before is a mystery. When the nightwatchman doing the rounds of the back doors observed the outbreak, it had good hold in a wooden building divided into two shops, occupied by Alex White, tobacconist, and Henry Hadley, bootmaker. It is surmised the fire started in the rear portion of tlie latter’s shop and quickly spread. When ■ the brigade arrived, the flames were shooting to a tremendous height through the loof, hut, by careful handling by the fire fighters the outbreak was soon under control, and the adjoining Bank of Australasia and a row of wooden shops were out of danger. Hadley’s shop was gutted and the stock destroyed, w-hile the ceiling of White’s was burned and the stock oartly damaged by water. The building was insured for £IOOO, and White’s stock is covered, but particulars of Hadley’s are unknown.

GOOD BAVE MADE

AUCKLAND OUTBREAK. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 24. A fire broke out in J. B. McEwen and Oo.’s two story building in Fort street this evening. Though the flames were leaping high through the skylight when the brigade arrived, a good save was effected in five minutes. Extensive damage was done to the top 6tory, the woodwork and flooring being burnt, and tlie. machinery and stock damaged The Carrpountey Co.’s stock of cocksfoot and clover ir. an adjoining building was damaged by water. There are no details of losses or insurances