FIRE IN TOWN

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIII, Issue 3948, 28 January 1944, Page 3

FIRE IN TOWN

BRIGADE'S SPLENDID SAVE

DAMAGE TO THREE SHOPS

At eight minutes to eight on Wednesday evening the fire siren sounded for an outbreak at the back of the premises of Mr Frank Edge, hairdresser and tobacconist, in Victoria Street.

Within two minutes the fire engine was on the scene and the brigade definitely prevented what might have been a disastrous conflagration.

The fire was confined to damage "to the rear of Mr Edge's shop and to the kitchen of the Waitemata Fisheries on the northern side and to windows and barge boards of Mr Bromwich's shop on the opposite side.

When the brigade arrived it was necessary to break a glass panel in the front door of Mr Edge's shop. A lead was taken in, but the firemen could not get further than the shop inner door. Flames were sweeping through from the back which was well afire. The firemen persisted and with a good lead of water, were able to subdue the seat of the fire which was in a quantity of oil stock at the rear of the saloon. Having got the fire under control, the first aid equipment was then 'used to deal with the fire which had" caught in the barge boards of Bromwich's shop and in the partition between Mr Edges' shop and the Fisheries' premises.

It would appear that the fire started in the back of Mr Edge's premises. Here he had a stock of hair oil, empty cartons, etc.. also four gallons of shampoo. Highly inflammable, this stock flared up quickly. Apart from the burnt out windows, badly charred door and damage to the interior plaster surface of Mr Edge's shop the only damage to the saloon and front shop was by water and smoke. Fire Went Out.

Considerable damage was done to the ceiling of the kitchen of the Waitemata Fisheries. Here, it was indeed fortunate that, in a very confined space, the fire burned itself out. Some smoke damage was also done in the restaurant.

Apart from the large side light in Messrs Bromwich's no other damage was done to the interior of these premises.

Mr Edge stated that he left his shop at 5.40 "when everything appeared to be safe. His stock and plant was insured for £360 in the South British Insurance Coy's office. A Spendid Save.

Once again the Cambridge Fire Brigade can be credited with "a splendid save." The promptness of their attendance and generally quick action prevented the spread of an outbreak in the most dense portion of the business area. It was fortunate, too, that the fire in the ceiling of the restaurant burned out.

The brigade was led by Supt. M \V. J. Harris.