SHOP AND DWELLING BURNT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1929, Page 7

SHOP AND DWELLING BURNT

OCCUPANT’S HURRIED ESCAPE

AUCKLAND, November 22.

With flames having a strong hold, and the building burning fiercely before any alarm was given, a grocery shop, the Glen Tui stores, and a six-roomed bungalow adjoining, in Richardson road, Mount Albert, were completely gutted by fire shortly after five o’clock Li.is morning. •

Mr and Mrs M. Ravlick, who occupied both the shop and the house, made their escape irom the building in night attire, and are heavy losers. Awakened by terrifying screams from his small son, who slept in an adjoining room, Kavliek raced into the passage to find the house ablaze. With the strong hold which the flames had at that time, it was impossible to save any articles, and he and his family were forced to make a. hurried exit. Efforts to enter the shop and save goods were made by firemen, who were driven back by flames and smoke. Station Officer 11. Sparks, however, managed to dash through to save the cash register, but in doing so received a badly burnt hand. The shop was one of a block of three. Neither of the other two shops .suffered much damage owing to the thick concrete walls which sepal'nted them from tho burning buildings. The lire as eventually extinguished after a prolonged and hard fight by the brigade. The housei is totally ruined, while the shop has been completely gutted, and all the stock has been destroyed.

The buildings are insured with the South British Insurance Co. Mr Ravlick is a heavy loser, for none' of his furniture was covered with insurance, while a large portion of the Christmas stock, which had recently been brought to the shop, was not covered.