THE LAMBTON QUAY FIRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1517, 13 August 1912, Page 4

THE LAMBTON QUAY FIRE.

_>■ STILL SMOULDERING. Tho big fire at Whiteombo and premises on Lambton Quay, which broke out on Wednesday, morning last, is still occupying the attention of the brigade. The outbreak got a big hold on tho largo stock of paper stored on th© top floor, and though the whole of tho interior of tho building has been receiving attention from units of tho brigado from time to timo, there aro still mounds of paper, in reams and bales, which requiro vigilance from- the mau with tho hose. There was quite a littlo outbreak on wliat remains of tho top floor yesterday morning, but it was quickly subdued by tho officer ill charge. , . , , It will be news to book-lovers to know that Messrs. Whiteombo and Tombs have taken over tho stock of books which have been saved (in a moro or less damaged condition) from the shop from tho underwriters, and n sale is to bo arranged. On the authority of Superintendent Tait it may bo stated that practically the whole of the contents of this onoo magnificent shop could liavo been saved if lh« advice which lie volunteered to tho Wellington underwriters some time ago liaij been acted upon. Superintendent Tail's stiggostion wq.s that tho insurance'mm* : panics might provide tho brigado with a number of big tarpaulins for uso in fu-M such as that which occurred last week, i.e., when an outbreak occurred in a top floor it would bo a comparatively easy matter for two or three members of the brigade or Fire Police to spread these coverings over valuable roods oil tho ground floor Wore the water hod timo to percolate through tho ceilings from nlrove. It is stated that, had this been done in the cise of tho fire at Jlossrs. Whiteombo and Tombs, ninny hundreds of pounds worth of valuable books could liavr been saved. The undei*writers did not feci disposed to agree to tho suggestion, as probably every fire brigade l In the Dominion would bo applying for a supply of tarpaulins. Superintendent Tait. points out that tho money which the insurance companies would have by adopting his suggestion in comieclion wifli I„ c i. would probably have supplied tlio whole of the brigades with waterproof coverings.