FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13601, 22 May 1908, Page 5

FIRES.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 21. A fire which might have had serious consequences but. for the smart work of the brigade occurred at the Telegraph Office this morning. As the Telephone Exchange clerk was coining oft' duty at 1.47 a.m. he found his progress to the stairway leading to Sliortland St-reei barred by thick volume:.; of smoke, apparently proceeding from the direction of the despatch room. The alarm: was at once given, aniL the Cential Brigade, under Superintendent- Woolley, were on the scene within three, minutes. The door leading to the upper storeys was broken in, and the flames located in the lavatory adjoining the despatch room, where they were, rapidly gaining a hold. The brigade, however, succeeded' in confining the outbreak to two small rooms, but noi before they weie completely giuie,t, the roof and walls being burned away. DUNEDIN, May 21. A two-storeyed wooden building at- Roslyn, used as a shop and dwelling by Mr Lawson, fruiterer, and Mr Boreham, fishmonger, was totally destroyed by fire this morning at 4 o'clock. Mr Lawson was insured for £SO, stock and furniture, in the United Office. Mr Boreliam was uninsured. The-building was owned by Mr W. Geddes, and was insured for £6OO in the State Office.