BIG BLAZE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 30, 5 February 1913, Page 7

BIG BLAZE

. EXPRESS COMPANY'S PREMISES BURNED OUT CONTENTS SEVERELY DAMAGED. Ab 10.45 last evening a fife, ■which partially gutted tho New Zealand Express Company's premises in Herbertstreet, was detected in the back portion of the building. The flames had a good hold when the brigade arrived, and there are indications that the lire had been gaining strength for some time. It took a- full hour of hard battling with the* flames before they were got under. The premises, a large three-story building, extend from Herbert-street to Edward-street. The back portion^ abutting on Edward-street was severely* damaged. When the brigade arrived they found that the top flat, which was used as a packing room, and was full of general merchandise and furniture, was well alight. Practically the contents of this story were all destroyed. _ The Second floor was also full of furniture, and this was damaged by smoke antf water. The bottom floor also, contained furniture, and this, too, suffered from the tvater. A brick partition and fireproof doorB saved the Herbert-street section of the building. The brigade was assisted in its efforts to restrict the fire by these safeguards and the total absence ot wind, but a thoughtless public hampered the firemen considerably, while a false alarm (frOm Victoria-street) did a little more to complicate matters for the fire-fighters. Twelve of the fire police, under Captain Wright and Lieutenants Ballings, Cusack, and Asher, did excellent work in controlling the traffic and keeping the passages clear. During the fire the trams were diverted to Jervoisq«ay. The building (with lift) is insured with the New Zealand insurance Company, and the contents belonging to the Express Company, are covered by the Victoria Company. The Express Company had a considerable quantity of goods stared for customers, but these carry their own risk. t The insurance on the building l (and lift) amounts to £2500. while 'the stock of Macky, Logan, Cafflwell and Co., on the top flat, which was totally destroyed, was insured for £IQDO. So far as can be ascertained, insurances on other lines amount to £1230. The Hugard Magician Company was very fortunate. A portion of its effects had been sent on from Dunedin to be stored. Luckily it was stored on the ground floor, and was only damaged, with the water. The effects come'*On by Friday's boat. FIRE ALARMS. When you hear the firebell you can rest in peace if you have a John Tann's Safe to secure your valuables in. John Tann's Safes are absolutely fireproof. Sargood, Son and Ewen are agents.^ Advt.