DESTRUCTIVE FIRE SWEEPS TOP OF AUCKLAND BLOCK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18381, 6 February 1928, Page 8

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE SWEEPS TOP OF AUCKLAND BLOCK.

BRIGADE SAVE WHOLE AREA FROM DESTRUCTION. (Special to the “ Star. ” ) AUCKLAND, February 6. Fire swept the top floor of the Mining Chambers, Queen Street, at 11.30 last evening, and smoke and water poured into the ground floor shops occupied by Hugh Wright, Limited (drapers), Mrs Ansenne (florist), and Jamieson’s (tobacconist). Part of the roof collapsed above the Belmont Tea Rooms, on the third storey, and the entire floor was well alight when the City’ Brigade arrived. A crowd which gathered in Queen Street expected to see the building destroyed within half an hour, but the brigade made a notable save, and the blaze, which was spreading down to the middle storey, was under control within a few minutes. Extensive damage was done to the offices of Berman and Burton (solicitors) and T. R. Smytheman (accountant), on the middle floor, and the adjoining rooms, occupied by Bennett and Jacobsen and Raylite Signs, Ltd., were damaged by smoke and water. As soon as the water commenced to pour into the shops on the ground floor, the. brigade effected an entry and made every effort to cover the stock in Hugh Wright’s premises. Hundreds of pounds worth of stock received- a soaking before precautions could be taken.