SPECTACULAR FIRE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5136, 8 June 1927, Page 2

SPECTACULAR FIRE.

MOTOR GARAGE DESTROYED.

EARLY MORNING CONFLAGRATION

Shortly before two o’clock yesterday morning the- motor gar.age occupied by Mr H. E. Raffills, motor and general engineer, Hughendon St.. Paeroa, was destroyed by fire. The outbreak wigs noticed by a passerby, who, assisted by Mr L. Nevin, quickly gave the alarm. The brigade, under superintendent W. J. Moore, lost no time in, reaching the scene of, the conflagration. Despite the fact that a splendid pressure of water was available from the main in Belmont Road, the task of fighting the fire was a hopeless one from the outset, as the flames were lashed into an inferno by the strong north-easterly wind that prevailed ,and the whole building was soon alight. After a strenuous figl’t the brigade ultimately got the fire under control, but not before the building was practically gutted, and the whole of the contents either destroyed or badly damaged by the heat. The building was owned by Mrs E. Wilson, of Puke Road, Paeroa, and was leased by Mr Raffills in May, 1925, when he purchased the plant. In addition to the destruction of the’ building, a five-seater. Wahl car, which was uninsured, was burned, as fllso was a motor cycle, lawn mower, stocks of oils, tyres, motor and cycle accessories, and about £75 worth of engineering tools. In an interview with Mr Raffills it

was learned that he was back at the garage in the evening, and was later occupied with work on his books in the office, up until midnight. Before leaving he extinguished a kerosene heater that had been burning, and left everything apparently safeThe origin of the outbreak cannot be accounted for. The building ami plant was insured for £6OO in the British Traders’ Office, but Mr Raffill assesses his loss at a contderable amount, including the whole- at his books and business papers.