BLAZE AT AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 277, 27 November 1935, Page 8

BLAZE AT AUCKLAND

NEWTON THEATRE BLOCK CARETAKER S NARROW ESCAPE [ Per Press Association. I AUCKLAND, Nov. 26. A fire which broke out this aftr noon in a large wooden two-stor block of shops adjoining the Einu Thea, e, in Newton, caused cons: able damage to a portion of the bh" and to a minor extent to part of the theatre itself. Fanned by a h’gh wind, the flames spread rapidly from the rooms above a confectionery shop next to the theatre, to the back of the budding and round to the front of the theatre. Rooms above the shop were completely gutted, hut two brigades, one from the Central station and one from the Western District station soon had the fire under control. The actual interior of the theatre suffered no damage apart from a slight discolouration of the wall' bv smoke. However, m nor damage was done to the facing? and to the ladres’ cloak room upstairs. Th? wooden building in which the fire started, is owned by Wenzl Scholium and the shop of confectioners which suffered most damage, was occupied by Mrs Anstiss, who lost a quantity of stock through smoke and water. An adjoining shop in a wooden building occupied by C. Rivlly, hairdresser and tobacconist, escaped damage although water penetrated from above. At the back of this shop and above it, rooms occupied by Mrs C. Anderson, were damaged chiefly by smoke and water, and flames burst through the wall on one of the room.’. ’The caretaker of the theatre, G. R. Dance, who was cleaning out at the time, was almost overcome by a great volume of smoke which suddenly swept ' down on him, and after falling to his knees, he was just able to stagger out •f the building.