DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2770, 9 August 1883, Page 7

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

AUCKIiAITD, July 25,

A lire broke out at 3 o'clock this morning m the Union Sash and Door Factory, Mechanics 1 Hay. The building is mi immense wooden pile standing on the reclaimed land. There were no horses available to take the engine to tho scene, ami consequently the firemen hail to drag it to tho lire. As soon as possible a hose *ms laid on from the pump m Stanley street, and tuken across the street towards tho burning factory, but there was insufficient hose, owing to the distance. In consequence) the fire crossed the street and ignited ths stacked limber which was speedily m a sheet of llame. Tho firemendid all m their power with the resources at hand, and succeeded m keeping tho flames within tho limits of tho factory and timber yard, and allowing tho iiro to burn itsolf out, being all they coidd do under tho circumstances. The blazo from the burning kauri pine illuminated tho whole city. A fierco north-easter carried immense clouds of sparks down tho railway embankment, and fears were entertained for the safety of the Company's joinery stores, where doors, sashes, window frames and all the finer kinds of wood-work aro manufactured, also for the kerosene bonded store, a short distance off, hadthat tuken fire,itishard to say what tho consequences would have boon. Fortunately, tho buildings were constructed of galvanisod iron, and were screened by tho railway embankment. Tho ofUcts of tho Company wcro saved owing to the direction of "the wind, hut tho whole of tho stabling accommodation and residences of cartei-s, who lived there, were burned. The origin of tho firo is unknown, but from the suddenness with which it burst forth immediately after tho breaking of tlio gloss, as stated below, tho watchman ia of opinion that it was not accidental. • Croor, one of the watchmen, made tho following statement : — " There are two night- watchmen employed on tho premises, each having a division, with tell-tales m each section to act as a check upon them. My round was m tho lower division. At a quarter to three o'clock this morning I heard the sound of glass breaking near tho breaking-down machinery. I went to ascertain tho cause, and immediately a, sheet of flamo burst out. I instantly called out to Quinlan, tho other watchman, and gave tho alarm, and he cauio and got tho hose ready and m work, while I ran to ring tho boll. There was a gate and tho ringing could not bo heard any distance. Some delay aroso m getting help." A Mr Holland, a painter, residing at Parnell, passed tho building m a cab at twonty minutes to three, and saw no indications of the firo. When ho got to Allan road ho saw flames suddenly burst out. Ho immediately drove to tho Wakefield street fire-bell and rang it. Latbh. The magnificent staircases constructed at tho Union Sash and Door Company's Factory for tho Auckland Savings Bank and Sargood and Son's new premises were to havo been delivered at their destinations to-day, but wore destroyed m last night's firo.