FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3865, 10 April 1928, Page 25

FIRES.

OUTBREAK IN RESIDENTIAL SHOP. AUCKLAND, April 3. The occupants of a two-storey building in Manukau road, Parnell, Mr and Mrs Leach and their daughter,' had a. narrow escape in the- early hours of the morning, when the building caught fire. The bottom portion of, the premises was used as a cake shop. The fire started in the bottom storey, and wm first discovered by the daughter, who roused her parents. Mr Leach’s efforts to reach the ground floor were fruitless on account of the heat and smoke,, and escape from the place had to be effected by dropping Bft from the veranda on to an improvised padding made by throwing bedding on to the ground. Mrs Leach collapsed into her husband’s arras, and this made th© escape more difficult. The three were landed safely in the street, however. Working furiously at the spreading flames the firemen made a creditable save, and prevented the fire from’ damaging more than the back portion of the shop” and stopped its spread to two other shops in the same block. A new cake-mixing plant and electric oven which had been installed recently were not damaged by the fire. The Leach family sleep on the shop premises during the week, and at week-ends go to their home in Green Lane. The loss, therefore, was not so. heavy as it would have been if the whole of their furniture had been in the place. The stock and materials in the shop were ruined, however, and as they were covered by a policy of £250 the loss will be substantial. The building is owned by Mr D. Reid, butcher, of Symonds street. MILKING SHED DESTROYED. AUCKLAND, April 3. A combined two-storeyed milking shed and fodder store, the property of Messrs M. J. and F. Anderson, milk’ vendors, of Archer’s road, Waitemata County, was totally destroyed by fire on Sunday evening. The shed and its contents were valued at £6OO. Both brothers were injured. The Anderson brothers were preparing some cattle fodder at about 6 o’clock, and were using an engine with which to drive their chaffcutter. Suddenly the shed-was filled with flame. It was impossible to save the building, as the upper portion of the shed was filled with highly-inflammable straw. Five tons of bran, a set of new farm implements, and a quantity of grain were also destroyed. While endeavouring to save their property both brothers were badly burned about the arms and face, and required medical attention afterwards. Neighbours came to their assistance and milked the cows. THE OIL STORE BLAZE. AUCKLAND, April 4. lhe fire at Winstone’s oil store has lost a good deal of its spectacular appeal with the passing of three days since its commencement, and only a few stragglers and visitors to the citv are finding their way to Freeman s Bay to view the wreckage. Nevertheless, it is still burning fiercely and threatens to continue to do ,-o for several more days. Dense volumes of smoke are still pour-' ing from the building, while spasmodically’ the flames leap hi eh above the crumpled walls as the fire eats its way further into the debris and ignites fresh cases of benzine which neculiarly enough have defied the effects of the terrific neat up till now The explosions arc few <.nd far between, however, although it is estimated that there are hundreds of tins and drums still retaining their contents. Robert Walker, of the Central Fire Brigade, who was injured while assisting to fight the flames on Sunday afternoon, was discharged from hospital this morning. Fireman C. Harper, of Western district who was injured slightly at the same time, has resumed duty. Borne on the motor engine which he drove for the last time on Sunday afternoon. Driver Rholda Beuth was conreved from the Central Fire Station this afternoon to the cemetery at Waikumete. Nqt since 1904 have the people of Auckland lieen called upon to take part in the burial of a permanent fireman, and the wave of sympathy which passed through the community bv the news of the present fatality was given eloquent expression to-day, not only along the route which was followed, but also at the graveside. As a voluntary act. the hand of H.M.S. Diomede attended, and ar the place of burial played the hymn ** Abide with Me.” Among the messages was a telegram from the Acting Minister of Internal Affairs (Sir Maui Pomare) which expressed the Minister’s regret at learning of the. accidents suffered by members of the brigade whilst performing their duty. Sir Ma"i asked that, his sincere sympathy should be conveyed to the relatives of Engine-driver Beuth. and bis best wishes for a sneedy recovery of Firemen Walker and Harper.

TWO OUTBREAKS IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, April 4 Severe damage bv fire and water was done to the Shell Motor Spirit Company oil stores a-nd their contents on tho Hutt road last evening. The brigade got control. and suppressed the fire after an hour’s work. The insurances are not available Later the brigade was called io a threefloored building at the corner of Marion and Ghiiznee streets. Here the stock of ■Henry Resnick, a tailor, was severely damaged on the second floor, and that of Joseph Zimme, on the top floor, and of the Hereford Printing Company on the bottom. floor suffered damage by water. The building is owned by Mr Phillip Hereford. It is insured for £5OOO in the Mercantile and General office. Resnick’s stock was covered for £BOO in the T.0.A., Zimme’s for £3OO in the Southern Union, the Hereford Comnany’s stock for £3OO in the Atlas, and the machinery for £2500 in the Eagle.