ANOTHER BIG BLAZE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1753, 17 November 1917, Page 2

ANOTHER BIG BLAZE.

Auckland, Yesterday. A fire broke out on the top floor of Messrs L. D, Nathan and Co.’s seven-story warehouse and store in High Street at about 1 o’clock this morning. The fire blazed fiercely inside the entire length of the top story, and before long had burnt its way through the'roof. Gradually the firemen began to get their task in hand, and by 2 o’clock the outbreak was well under control. Half an hour later it was completely extinguished. The fire did not find its way down through the stout wooden floor, and very little damage was done by fire, but the stock, valued at many thousands of pounds, suffered extensively from water. The damage is very heavy, but it is impossible to make an estimate, the whole of the stock in the lower floors being soaked with water. The stock includes a large quantity of perishable goods. The insurances are; On the building, £22,500; stock, £55,000; plant, £1,245; a total of £78,500, all in the United office. The fire originated in the bottling and packing department, on the top floor. Its origin is a mystery. HEAVY LOSSES. IS THERE INCENDIARISM? The big fires that have oeeured in the Dominion during the past few days are giving underwriters same concern. It has been estimated that the insurance companies’ losses will be between £200,000 and £210,000. That does not represent the extent of the damage. The following table, unofficial but approximate, shows the losses to the companies concerned and the estimated damage done; ® v • t ji f ® O rt o ‘-£.2 \ S* i * £ £ Dannevirke ..... 73,000 150,000 Ohakune 8,000 12,000 Dunedin— Edmond’s .... 30,000 50,000 Thompson’s ... 70,000 30,000 Christchurch — City Hall, etc. 20,000 30,000 Various fires ... 5,000 5,000 200,000 277,000