BLAZE AT AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 14

BLAZE AT AUCKLAND

SEVERE DAMAGE REPORTED Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 28. Damage estimated at between £30,000 and £lO,OOO was caused by a lire at the premises of Hart Bros., Ltd., in (Jueen Street, last evening. The crashing of breaking glass about ten o’clock was the first indication that anything untoward had occurred, and a number of calls were sent in to the city fire station. Firemen arrived to find themselves faced with one of the most serious blazes that have occurred in Auckland in recent years, the ground floor of the premises being alight from end to end. Every possible lead of water was put on to the fire. After a splendid fight, the firemen got the fire in check and from thence on it was gradually put out. Mr. Hart said that insurances over the stock and premises approximated £30,000 in the Eagle, Star, and British Dominion Offices. The actual amount of damage would not be known until an assessment was made. While the fire was in progress, the electric light circuit, was interrupted, and it was necessary to discontinue the session that was in progress at the Strand Theatre adjoining. HOMESTEAD BURNT DOWN. BY I'EIiEGHMm PRESS \ S>n,"UT|ON Gisborne, February 28. A two-story fourtecn-roomed homestead at L’ulia, owned by Mr. J. Preudci.'gast, was destroyed by fire hist night. A small outbreak had occurred in the washhouse in the afternoon, and wa» believed to have been extinguished. Mr. Prendergast, while endeavouring to save some effects in the upper etory. had a narrow escape, owing to a benzine lanip exploding, necessitating his breaking through a window to get away. The house was insured for £2600, but the contents were not insured. The need for protection against fire loss is obvious Consult the Mercantile and General Insurance Compati' Ltd., Panama Street, Wellington - Advt