BIG FIRE IN AUCKLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16433, 12 July 1915, Page 3

BIG FIRE IN AUCKLAND

SEVERAL PREMISES AFFECTED. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £12,000. (Peji United Press Association.) „ AUCKLANO, .July 11. Damage approximating £12,0C0 was done by a tire wli.cti broke out early on Saturday evening in the triau-ular block oi buildings near the Town llall, between Lome, Rutland, and Wellesiey streets. The tiro originated in u three-storey lurniture factory in Lornc street occupied by Messrs lonsoii, Garlick, and Co., and had a very good hold before the brigade arrived. Soon l ' ie Bremen began to pour water into tho mass of flame a water main in tile vicinity burst, and the water pressure decreased to such an extent that the hose could not thiow it much beyond the second storey It :s thought probable that this allowed the fire to spread more readily, via the adjoining back premises, to .Messrs l'himnier Bro.s.' three-storey hat factory in Rutland street. Tho firemen attacked it liere again, and succeeaed in confining it to the top storey, though the stock and plant in tlio lower flats were damaged by water. Ihc firemen also extinguished the lire it was getting hold in the back of tile Technical School buildings adjoining tho hat factory. The flames, however, were found to have spread in an opposite direction to a largo three-storey building next the furniture tactory in Lome street, and had secured a strong hold in the second storey, used as an adjunct to Messrs Pkimmer Bros.' hat factory. Chemicals and oils wore apparently stored here, for the fire burned with grout intensity, but the firemen nevertheless saved a large motor garage on the ground floor, owned by Jlr G. ,W. Spragg, who would have lost about £10,(KX) worth of private cars if they iiad not been removed only a few minutes before tho fire broke out. The third floor was unoccupied. Meantime the inmates of the Salvation Army's People's Palace and the Y.W.C.A., in Wellesiey street, tho backs of whose premises ran into the middle of the affccted block, were making a hurried exit with their goods and chattels, and a willing crowd began to carry out the furniture. The back windows of these premises were broken by the heat, but by this time the fire was under control, and did not spread further.

The- fire provided a magnificent spectacle, the flames shooting high, and masses of gigantic sparks being carried over the adjacent buildings. and Albert Psrk by a fairly strong wind, and huge crowds collected. Tlie fire burned for about an hour and a-half. Its origin is not known. Tho insurances are as follow: —Messrs Tonson and Garlick (offices unknown) — machinery £8900, buildings £3600; Messrs Plummer Bros.—Rutland stroll plant, ijiiardian office £2050, Commercial Union office £150, Liverpool and London and Globe office £1031; plant in the Lome street premises, Liverpool and London and Globe officc £1250. Mess-s Plummer Bros.' premises in Rutland street, owned by the estate of W. Crowther, were insured for £1000 in tho South British office, and the premises in Lorno street (similarly, owned; were insured for £2500 in the South British r ffice. Mr Sprang- had £1000 in tho South British office on his stock, which was practically undamaged.