Big Blaze Sweeps Henderson Block

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 31, 29 April 1927, Page 1

Big Blaze Sweeps Henderson Block

SHOPS AND BANK, BURNED

Between three and four o’clock this morning a disastrous fire swept a block of business premises at Henderson, completely destroying the receiving depot of the Bank of New Zealand and three shops.

The pressing need for more efficient fire-fighting equipment at Henderson was again emphasised, when these buildings, valued at over £5,000, were destroyed. Known as Ozich’s Buildings, and situated in Station Street, near the Henderson railway station, the premises were occupied by Mr. F. Higgins, tobacconist and billiard room proprietor; Mr. I. E. Scott, chemist; Mr. W. Constable, bootmaker. A portion of the buildings was also used by the Bank of New Zealand as a receiving branch. With the exception of a small quantity of plant removed from Mr, Constables shop, nothing of any value was saved. The outbreak was first discovered by a railway cleaner working nearby, and he immediately aroused Mr. M. Tracy, proprietor of a baker’s shop, whose premises are situated within a chain of the fire. The fire had apparently commenced at the rear of the tobacconist’s shop, and had then a fair hold. ONLY A HOSE AND NOZZLE The only fire-fighting equipment available in the township, a hose and nozzle, was promptly secured by Mr. Tracy, and a stream of water played on the seat of the fire. The flames, however, quickly spread to the

chemist’s shop adjoining, and it was then seen that the building was doomed. ADJOINING BUILDINGS SAVED The efforts of the fire-fighters were then concentrated on Mr. C. H. Herdson’s dental rooms, a small wooden building immediately the burning building, which, had it also caught, would have spread the outbreak to Mr. Tracy’s shop, Mr. Ilcot’s drapery store, and an empty shop, all within a few chains of the burning building. Fortunately their efforts were successful, a constant stream of water played on the side of Mr. Herdson’s rooms preventing it from catching, and thus averting a much more serious conflagration. The premises were owned by Mr. C. Ozich, and were constructed of concrete and brick. Although no particulars regarding insurances are yet available, it is understood that the building was covered against fire. FIRE PLANT NEEDED It is considered that had a more efficient plant been available it would have been possible to save a big portion of the building. Following the loss of the Henderson Town Hall by fire some nine months ago, a movement was put on foot to form a voluntary fire brigade, but nothing further being done in the matter, the project was allowed to lapse.