FIRES

Southland Times, Issue 16839, 15 September 1911, Page 5

FIRES

BLAZE XBT THE STAKE OrjTCE. PROBABLE LOSS OF DOCUMENTS. (Per United Press Association.) ' ■- ‘ t .WELLINGTON, Sept 14. A fire which caused a good deal of concern broke out to-night In the stamp office at the back of the:big Government Buildings between Lambton Quay and Featherston street. There was a good deal of smoke, and as this was blown south-easterly right through the main buildings the Impression was that there was a fire in the ..hig.-bulldlngs. Fortunately this was not?so. The building where the fire occurred is an annexe to the main building. Fires had been going in the fire-places all ■ day as usual, and it Is evident? that, sparks escaped from the chimney .between the roof and ,the ceiling. The outbreak was discovered first before 10 o'clock. The patent fire -alarm worked splendidly, Indicating immediately throughout the whole of the buildings where the fire was located. The fire was got under control quickly, though the annexe was practically gutted. The building was used for stamps, death duties, companies, and provident voucher registration departments, and for the embossing of cheques. Any deeds owned by the public were locked in Iron safes and will be undamaged. There will be considerable inconvenience through the destruction of documents ; but, so far as is known at present, it is not thought that any papers of great importance have been burned. AUCKLAND, Sept. 14. A ten-roomed house at Takapuna, belonging to Mrs Warmill’s estate, and occupied by W. J. Tye, has been destroyed by fire. The house was insured in the South British office for £6OO. [By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.] BRUSSELS, Sept. 13. A timber warehouse and nine dwellings at Campine Dock, Antwerp, have been burnt. The damage is estimated at seven million francs.