FIRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14699, 6 December 1909, Page 5

FIRES.

(Per Ukitf.u Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 5. A three-roomed dwelling at Bueklaml, owned and occupied by Mr J. K. Hamilton, was, with its contents, totally destroyed by lire on .Saturday afternoon. It is surmised that the fire was caused by a spark front a passing engine, 'the dama.ge is estimated at about £150. There were no insiiianees. Two boys, who had gone into the burning building to try to save the furniture, had a narrow escape, owing to some gelignite detonators exploding, one lad receiving slight injuries. A 6-roomcd house, with its content*, and an old store adjoining, wero destroyed l:y lire at Lawrence at. a very early hour oil Saturday morning. The house, "which was tenanted by a Chinaman named Chin Fooi, who earned on tin business of a lauudrvma.il, was owned by Mr Hueji Bruce, of Wnilahuna, who estimates his Ires at £30, and the old place adjoining bv Mr .lohn Black. Chin Fooi puts his loss down <t about £100. and flic total value of Ihe properly destroyed is estimated at £200. The tire is supposed to have Iwen caused through some clothes, left banging crer a stove m which there was a lire, becoming; ignitKil. Shorty after midnight tiro Chinaman was awakened bv smoke in tbo place, and on getting up 'found that rho drying room was on fire. The brigade turned out. and after a hard tight managed to prevent the fire spreading further, lliero was no insuruneo on the" places or content.'. An alarm of fire was given on Saturday night shortly before 9 o'clock, ajd tho City Brigade turned out, but no fire could bo discovered.