BLAZE ABOVE CABARET

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19623, 5 May 1938, Page 5

BLAZE ABOVE CABARET

SCORCHING BAY FIRE TOP FLOOR GUTTED (Pit Press Association.) WELLINGTON, tins day. The top floor of a four-storeyed Scorching Bay cabaret and tea room building was gutted by a spectacular outbreak of Tire shortly before 7.nn o'clock last evening. But for smart work by the Wellington Fire Brigade and a fortunate drop in a fairly strong wind which had been blowing earlier in the evening, the lire might easily have razed the whole building-and set fire to neighbouring houses. The top floor was occupied as a flat by Mr. R. McKeen, a son of Mr. R. MoKeen, M.P., and his wife and child, who, however, had been absent for several days. Mr. McKeen, who made a call last evening, left shortly before the outbreak was noticed by Mr. A. J. Bailey, the lessee of the cabaret and building. He was on the ground floor with his wife and was told by a passer-by shortly before 7.30 p.m. that the top floor was on fire. By that time the flames hat', a strong hold. Mr. Bailey rushed to the family's living quarters on the second floor and secured his wallet and the family made a safe exit.

The three remaining floors of the building were preserved intact and although some damage was done by water this was reduced to a minimum by the covering of the stock by salvage sheets.

The cause of the outbreak has not been definitely ascertained, but it was suggested that it might have been due to a short circuit in the electric wiring. The switchboard for the building was on the top floor. The blazing building made a prominent landmark in the bay and a large crowd soon gathered. A house south of the cabaret and close to it had a narrow escape. It was probably saved by the initiative of a neighbour who secured a long length of garden hose and played it on the wall, which wa.s well blistered by the heat.