FIRE IN WAREHOUSE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 112, 9 February 1928, Page 12

FIRE IN WAREHOUSE

HEAVY LOSSES REPORTED Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, February 8. A fire last night completely gutted the warehouse of Aitchison, Steans, and Co., Ltd., in Lichfield Street, causing very extensive damage. The outbreak was discovered shortly after 10.30, when it had obtained a firm hold of the middle of the building. The firemen, had a strenuous battle with the flames before the outbreak was brought under control shortly before midnight. The stock comprised practically all lines of fancy goods, also hardware, crockery, toys, etc. There was also a small quantity of 22 cartridges in stock. The whole of the stock was completely destroyed. The stock was of a very inflammable nature,' and a large quantity of straw held for packing purposes added fuel to the flames. The building is owned by Aitchison, Steans, and Company, of which Mr. Steans is managing director. The insurances on the stock and fittings are approximately £20,000, spread over several offices. The building was insured for £lOOO with the Queensland office. The amount of one of the insurance policies was reduced onlv on Monday, and the firm’s loss will be particularly heavy. OUTBREAKS IN CITY. The roof of a coalhouse behind No. 15 Mulgrave Street, was damaged by a fire which occurred shortly after midday yesterday. The house, a wooden one containing six rooms and having an iron roof, is occupied by Mr. Henry Allan Pidgeon, and owned by Mrs. Annie Burns. The outbreak was traced to a defective copper chimney. A naked light, which ignited some curtains, was the cause of a fire which occurred shortly after 9 o’clock on Tuesday evening at 19 Frederick Street. The damage was slight. Mr. Hudson is the occupier of the building, a wooden one of two rooms with an iron roof, and Mr. E. J. Ells is the owner. There are no insurances on the contents of the building. The fire brigade suppressed a small gorse fire in Old Porirua Road, Kajwarra, shortly after seven o’clock last night.

The need for protection against fire loss is obvious. Consult the Mercantile and General Insurance Company Ltd., Panama Street, Wellington.— Advt.