FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3374, 26 January 1884, Page 2

FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

An Auckland telegram of yesterday says :—A fire broke oat at three o’clock this morning at Ehyber Pass, resulting in the destruction of four houses, forming part of a block in View road, off Mount Eden Road- It originated in an empty house owned by Mr McDell, a warder at the gaol, and speedily spread to his own residence adjacent, a twostorey house. There being no proper appliances for extinguishing the fire, it rapidly extended to the house of Mr Avery, builder, in the occupation of Mr Matthews, and thence to Mr Cooper’s. The fifth house in the row was that of Mr Stevens, and the sixth occupied by Mr Martin, and owned by Mr Reed, and these seemed likely ’to go. The former had caught fire, but the Biigade made use of a hand engine and baby engine, getting water from an adjacent well, and also from the house reservoir of Mr Robert Pearce, and by this means they arrested the progress of the fire. Stevens’ house was only partly damaged. The empty house in which the fire originated was insured by McDell for £2OO in the Union, and his own residence in the South British for £350. Part of the furniture was saved. Avery’s house was insured in the New Zealand for £l5O. The furniture of the occupant, Matthews, was also insured. Stevens’ house was insured for £2OO in the South British, but the furniture, which was saved, was uninsured. The origin of the fire remains a mystery, but as it originated in an empty house, it is supposed to be the act of an incendiary.