FIRE IN CAGE-BIRD SHOP

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1930, Page 8

FIRE IN CAGE-BIRD SHOP

j QUICK RESCUE WORK.. AUCKLAND, January 27. | When a fire broke out shortly after 6 p.m. in the basemnt of the premises in upper Queen street, occupied by J. Walker and Son, bird fanciers, about 50d birds and animals were placed in danger of death by suffocation. Mr J. R. Walker was joined by about 20 neighbours and passers-by in frantic efforts to remove the live stock from the shop. This was accomplished with the loss of a few birds by suffocation, and a further as yet undetermined number by escape from captivity. Except four puppies, which were afterwards found unhanded in a far corner of the basement, all the birds and animals were in the shop on the street level. - The dense volumes of smoke pouring up from below soon filled the premises. After discovering the futility of ftrying to check the outbreak with buckets oii watr'i, Mr it aiker concentrated his efforts on .removing his stock, and lie was quickly joined by willing helpers. Guinea pigs, pigeons, puppies, kittens, rabbits, and various kinds of birds were clutched by eager hands from fixed cages round the walls, and tumbled pell-mell together in several commodious portable cages before these were carried into the street. The only consideration ! for the moment was to get every j creature out of the smoke. Flames were eating tlirough a portion of the door when the-.fire was quelled, but the damage was not extensive. The building is owned by Mr W. H. Cooke. Both it and the stock were insured. Mr. Walker considered himself fortunate that lie had not yet taken delivery of a purchase of Mexican parrots valued at £4OO, for, with that large addition to his stock the risk of serious loss would have been much greater.