DESTRUCTIVE FIRES AT AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 431, 22 October 1866, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES AT AUCKLAND.

EIRE AT NEWTON. (from the New Zealand Herald, XOth October.)

. ITS a.m. Ajtotheb fire, which threatens immense destruction of valuable property, has just broken out at Newton, in the midst of a large block of houses. The flames were first observed issuing from a house in East-street, immediately behind the Sydenham store, and in a very short space of time four dwelling houses were completely gutted. The flames are raging fearfully, and at present it is impossible to say how far they may extend. A large crowd of people were quickly at the scene of the conflagration and are using every exertion to check the flames. So sudden was the fire that scarcely any household goods will be saved. We understand that one of the houses consumed was inhabited by Mr Riley, carter, and his family and another by Mrs M'Pherson. Most of the houses were well insured, but we have not been able to learn in which office.

. 2 a.m. Owing to the valuable assistance rendered by the police, and the crowd which had assembled, the flames are likely to bo checked from destroying more property, although many bouses on the opposite side of the street and adjoining those which have been consumed, are still in great danger. Every means to prevent them from burning have been used.

. i 2'30 a.m. The flames have been checked, and the fire is at an end. It first broke out in a house occupied by Mr Riley, and the alarm was given by the screams of Mr Riley’s childen. The fire then caught the house of Mr M'Lennon, on the north side of Eaststreet 5 a third house, occupied by Mr Bennett, on the south side, was then consumed; and a fourth house, occupied by Mrs MTherson, and adjoining the dwelling-house of Mr G. Holdship, builder was also totally destroyed, Mr Holdship’s house* at one time was in great danger, but by the assistance of the bystanders was saved from destruotion, A good supply of water was obtained from two wells behind the buildings destroyed. fihs Auckland Eire Brigade and the, men in tha employ of the City Board were quickly on the spot, and rendered inva’uable assistance. A home belonging to Mr Cadman narrowly escaped from being burnt to to the ground. Two of the houses destroyed were owned by Mr Gunstau, and are well insured. FIRE IN’ THE KARANGAHAPE-ROAD. (From the N. Z. Herald, 12tk October.) At nine o clock last night the alarm of fire wasgiven by the Newton fire bell, which was i mnu .. diately spread by the various fire bells of the city. It was found that a house formerly belonging to Mr Fountain, a General Government clerk at present residing in Wellington, and situated in the Karangahape-roud was on fire. Tho house has for some time past been occupied by Mr Elkington, D.A.C.G. The flames were observed Cr=t to Tssne from the upper room at tho rear of the building, and in a few minutes the whole of tho roof was on fire, the next house occupied by Sir O’Mera, surveyor, caught almost immediately, and the ’wind blowing fresh from N.E. carried portions of tho roof to the other side of the street, some of tha embers alighting on the roof* of the buildings on the opposite side. In fact, Mr Young’s (grocer), and Mr Evrett’s (cabinet-maker) shops wore in great danger, and it was witd much difficulty that they were saved from catching fire. A mao, by the name of Wilson, broke into tho bouse of Mr Elkington, and assisted by Constable Green and one or two others, succeeded in saving portions of the furniture which was carried to "the opposita side of tho road. Tha papers were saved by a servant, who informed Sergeant-Major Molloy that he was in the house only a quarter of an hour before it broke out; and when he left there was no appearance of fire. He had left a candle on the table when lie left the house. The house of Mr lieetley, being immediately at the rear of the burning buildings, was in imminent danger, and Mr George, the butcher, at the west side of Howestreet. We understand that Mr Elkington has lost the greater portion of his furniture, and a quantity of valuable jewellery. Mr Hiking ton’s house was insured for £250 in the New Zealand Insurance Company, and the furniture for £3OO in the same Company, making £550. The insurance had been effected only a month previously to tha outbreak of the fire. No intelligible explanation has been given of the cause, and it is doubtful, considering the rapidity of the flames, whether any explanation can be given. The liro brigade, police, and a number of tho Auckland volunteers were almost immediately on the spot and rendered valuable assistance. The brick bouse next to Mr Elkington’s was occupied by Mr O’Mera, a surveyor, and was not, as we are informed, insured. It formerly belonged to Messrs. Stephenson and Wardell. The fire, wo believe, was communicated to the interior by the igniting of the verandah surrounding tho building. Everything was totally destroyed. A quantity was broken and burnt, and some trees and ornamental shrubs were partially burnt. It may be proper to state that Mr Elkington was from homo at the time of the fire, and that an orderly was despatched in quest of him. We have not heard of any accident occurring. No doubt the lire will be the subject of an enquiry.