FIRES.

Grey River Argus, 28 February 1927, Page 5

FIRES.

RIDDIFORD’S HOMESTEAD. COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A destructive fire occurred on Saturday night on the Camp Town Road, Ngahere, the homestead of Mr and Mrs Riddiford being completely destroyed. The house was situated at a distance of a couple of miles from the railway line.- At the time Mr and Mrs Riddiford were at home, and wore awaiting the return of their sons, but before the latter arrived, the fire started, its origin being unknown. In the absence of means for fire-fighting, nothing could be done to save either the house or its contents, and all the furniture, piano, etc., were demolished. There is some insurance in the Northern but the amount was not yesterday ascertainable. AN AUCKLAND FIRE. BIG .STRUCTURE DAMAGED. AUCKLAND, February 27. Considerable damage was done by a fire which broke out at an early hour this morning in a block of buildings at the corner of Queen Street and Dur- . ham Street East. The outbreak occurred. at the back of the confectioner’s shop, owned by L. Broily, anti, spreading upwards, went through the second and third floors of the building. The fire had a good hold, and the i flames were coming through the roof. The fire was under control in half an hour. The damage was mainly confined to the second and third floors, two rooms used by Mr Briefly for the manufacture of sweets being almost completely gutted. The building is owned by Messrs Lewis, R. Eady and Son, Ltd., and is insured for £12,000 in the New Zealand Insurance Coy., Ltd.