BIG FIRE AT WAIUKU

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 22, 18 April 1927, Page 1

BIG FIRE AT WAIUKU

VISITORS WAKEN TOWNSFOLK THREE BUSINESS PREMISES DESTROYED A disastrous fire swept part of the business area of Waiuku at 2 o’clock on Sunday morning’, destroying three shops and damaging a fourth. Thousands of pounds worth of damage was done, but owing to the holiday season the exact insurances are not known.

The shops destroyed were: The Wallace Supply Company’s drapery and grocery store. Miss Irene Maurice’s millinery establishment. Mr. J. L. Miller’s bootmaking establishment and workshop. Slight damage was also done to Mr. William Adamson’s motor garage. The outbreak was discovered by Ray Laybourn, of Mangere, who was visiting Waiuku on a yacht, in company with E. E. Stacy and James Glasgow. They had sailed down from Onehunga for the Easter holidays. These young men had just returned from a dance. Feeling hungry, they decided to cook some steak and have a meal. During the process the fire was discovered, and the visitors awakened the townspeople. But for the yachtsmen discovering the outbreak Miss Maurice might have been burnt to death. The fire started in her establishment and was burning fiercely when she was wakened by the noise made by the visitors.

The blaze quickly spread to Mr. Miller’s shop and then on to the Wallace Supply Company’s store, a large establishment, the brick walls of which are the only parts left standing to-day. The shops were all situated at the corner of Bowen and Queen Streets. By rattling tins and shouting the yachtsmen soon roused the townsfolk and between 100 and 200 turned out and formed a bucket brigade in an attempt to stem the tide of flame. Several other shops nearby were cleared of their stocks. There is no fire brigade at Waiuku and a very limited water supply. But for the efforts of the bucket brigade many more of the business establishments might have been destroyed. Very little was saved from any of the three shops which were destroyed. The insurances are not known, but the stock and premises of the Wallace Supply Company’s store was insured for some thousands. It is thought that Mr. Miller’s stock and establishment were covered by a £1,500 policy.