The Auckland Fire.

Manawatu Herald, 7 May 1904, Page 2

The Auckland Fire.

DESTRUCTION OF MORRIN’S WAREHOUSE.

The fire which commenced on Wednesday night at the large hardware store of T. and S. Morrin and Co. practically wrecked the building and destroyed the bulk of the stock before the firemen got the upper hand. When the brigade arrived flames were issuing from every window on the top floor, and it was not till about midnight that the fire slackened and the adjoining buildings were out of danger. An hour later there was a considerable body of flame in the centre of the burning building, but at the back and front and on both sides the fire had been pretty well extinguished. About half-past two the central portion of the wall on the northern side of the building collapsed, and some hundreds of tons of bricks fell with a loud report. Several persons were more or less injured by falling debris. The more serious cases were those of Fireman McCormick, who had two ribs broken ; Fireman Gladding, injuries to Ins back and a leg; and a civilian named Ludlow, who had a leg broken below the knee. The company had received the consignments of four large steamers last week, and had just completed stocking when the fire occurred. The stock was a miscellaneous one. The general ironmongery business was valued at between £50,000 and £60,000. Practically nothing of the contents of the great store reaching from High street back to Bowen avenue were saved from damage either by fire or water. The shipping offices on the ground floor and the general offices on the first floor have completely disappeared. Practically the western buildings were gutted except the stables, floor fronting Coburg street and the watchman’s , residence on the floor above. The value of the stock and building is estimated roughly between £70,000 and £BO,OOO. Probably the damage will run into the latter sum. The firm’s books were in safes, and should be got out intact. The building belonged to the Bank of New Zealand Assets Board, but was held by Messrs T. and S. Morrin, Ltd., under a purchasing clause. It was valued at about £20,000. The insurances total £72,480 — namely £59,920 on the warehouse and stock, and £2560 on the Queen street premises and contents. The amount is held in the first instance by_the New Zealand Company, and re-insured in twenty-three companies, the risks ranging from £IOOO to £6OOO.