FIRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19969, 10 December 1926, Page 12

FIRES

OLD HOMESTEAD DESTROYED. OCCUPANTS’ NARROW ESCAPE. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND. December 9. One of the oldest homesteads in East Tamaki, the owner of which was Mr Kennedy Ross, was burned down by a fire that broke out about 10 o’clock last night. _ A large crowd from the surrounding districts gathered quickly and watched the spectacular blaze. All the people in the house were asleep at the time of the outbreak, and it was not until the kitchen was filled with smoke and the flames were beginning to find their way through the ceiling that the firs was discovered. The outbreak apparently originated in a chimney and spread to the kitchen. The occupants had to make a hurried escape from the burning building, and were able to save only a small amount of furniture and personal belongings. The house, which was one of nine rooms, was built 49 years ago, and was renovated and enlarged 25 years later. It was insured for £IOOO in the Royal Exchange office. OUTBREAK IN STORE. At 10.10 a.m. yest<#day the City Fire Brigade received a call to the premises of Messrs John Chambers and Son (Ltd.) at tho corner of Stuart and Cumberland streets, where fire had broken out in a storeroom near the south-west corner on the top floor of the four-storied building. The store is occupied by the National Electrical and Engineering Company The outbreak was caused through the flames from burning paper in an iron receptacle spreading to some cases containing sheets of asbestos and roofing iron. A first-aid hose was brought into action by the brigade, but this proved ineffective and a lino of hose was then taken from Stuart street and hauled to tho top of tho building with a rope. Tho damage, confined to the cases, is estimated at about £lO. The interior of tho building suffered no damage through fire or water.