DESTRUCTIVE FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1935, Page 9

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE

1 BJG AUCKLAND BLAZE LONG FIGHT BY BRIGADES EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE INJURIES TO TWO MEN By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. One of the most disastrous fires ex»perienced at Auckland during recent years .raged in Queen Street for about two hours to-night, causing extensive damage io the premises of Woolworths, Ltd., and to a lesser extent to two adjoining blocks, Cook’s building and Imperial building. Fire broke out in Woolworth’s shop shortly after 6 p.m. and crowds flocked into Queen Street to watch firemen from practically all the metropolitan stations wage a battle with the flames. It was hot until after 8 o’clock that the outbreak appeared to be properly under control. Firemen faced a difficult and dangerous task and the gathering of the huge crowd in Queen Street also presented the elements of danger. The insurance on the stocks, fixtures and fittings of the shop of Woolworths, Ltd., was for £26,300 and was with the Royal .Insurance Company, Ltd. There was also a policy of an amount not stated covering the loss of profits. It was estimated late to-night that the damage to , stock and fittings had been practically complete, smoke and water haying accounted for anything that had survived damage by the actual fire. It is understood the building was owned by Mr. Bertram Dawson, who is at present in England. Details of insurances were not available. The building was leased to Woolworths, Ltd., in March, 1929, the lease having six years to run from that date. It was formerly Everybody’s Theatre. There were several casualties during the fire and three persons, including a fireman, were taken to hospital. Arthur Henderson, single, aged 35, of Grafton, was standing in front of the burning premises when he was struck by a tramcar. He received injuries to the spine. His condition later was described as serious. OVERCOME BY FUMES. While he- was engaged on the ground floor of the burning building, James Broadfoot, aged 25, a member of the Central Fire Brigade, was overcome by smoke and fumes. He was carried into the Fort Street lane. by a fellow fireman, who found him lying on the floor in an unconscious . condition. The inhalation of fumes was a painful experience. His condition was reported to be fairly serious. Mr. Broadfoot is well-known as a boxer. _ . , A member of the Remuera Brigade, A. Clark, suffered a painful blow on the shin, but he was able to continue at the fire after receiving attention. Another fireman from the city brigade collapsed owing to smoke and fumes but quickly revived. There were other minor casualties among firemen, all receiving the attention of ambulance officers. . . The third victim taken to hospital was a middle-aged man who collapsed in the crowd. His condition is not serious. The alarm was given by a messenger boy of the Post and Telegraph Department Who, with another boy, was walking down Queen Street. At that time some dozen people were standing in front of Woolworths’ windows. Having noticed smoke coming apparently from a counter at the extreme back of the shop, the boy ran to the nearest alarm. Befor the brigades arrived dense clouds of white smoke were pouring through the roof of the rear portion of the building over Customs Street and the Fort Street lane. Light wells on the northern side of Cooks building acted as flues and columns of smoke appeared to be coming from the roof of that block, many of the spectators being under the impression for a few minutes that Cook s building was on fire. - Three brigades arrived simultaneously. Thick smoke was coming from all* parts of the building. Another engine arrived on the scene and three worked from Queen Street and one from the Fort Street lane. • MANY POLICE ON DUTY. All available police officers were required for duty to cope with the huge crowds in the city. There were more than 50 uniformed men engaged in checking the crowds encroaching on the traffic lanes and directing vehicles, while numbers of detectives were also assigned to duty. As soon as it became apparent that the fire was of large dimensions, steps were, taken to summon all available officers for duty and prompt measures enabled the police to assist the firemen. Several diners from Cook’s restaurant found themselves marooned by a wide pool of water outside the premises. Cheers and laughter arose when dripping firemen picked up a young woman and carried her across Queen Street. Goodnatured booing was heard when a smartly dressed youth in a flannel suit was taken across the flood in the same way. Within a few minutes several more young women decided to experience the joy of being carried across Queen Street by firemen, but the habit became less popular when it was discovered that most of the men were wearing soaked uniforms. In comparison with Cook’s building, the block of offices, and shops on the other side of Woolworths in Imperial buildings escaped very lightly. Little structural damage was caused and only one tenant suffered serious loss, when part of the roof of Woolworths collapsed and flames shot up 'with terrific force and heat. Within a few moments windows in the negative room of Alan Blakey’s studios were shattered in the intense heat and the sills were blazing. The caretaker broke into the,studio and with the aid of a number of willing •workers attempted to check the outbreak until the brigade could bring a lead of hose to bear. The most Serious damage was that caused by smoke and water to Blakey’s photographic ’ plates. If these have been completely ruined the loss is irreparable. Mr. Blakey said he hoped that if he went through them and rewashed them in chemicals most might be saved.