DAMAGE BY FIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 59, 1 June 1927, Page 9

DAMAGE BY FIRE

LOSSES OVER £6,000 ‘CITY warehouse blaze BRIGADE’S GOOD WORK A FIRE broke out in a threestoreyed brick building in Rutland Street shortly before 10 o’clock last evening. Damage to the extent of £6,400 was done, apportioned as follows: Building (owned by Messrs. Neumegen and Neumegen), £1,400; plant and stock of J. Fraser and Co., £5,000. The building, which is leased by Turnbull and Jones, was occupied by J. Fraser, Ltd., on the first and second floors, and by Foggitt, Jones and Co. on the ground floor. It is said that the cause of the fire was the fusing of electric cables at a switchboard on the first floor. The flames spread rapidly up the stairs and had a good hold on the top floor when the brigade arrived. Clouds of smoke, pouring forth from the building, were noticed by a workman who was engaged in the adjoining building. He forced an entry, attacked the flames with the aid of a small hose, and played it 'on the burning woodwork until the brigade arrived. The city’s two brigades turned - out and had the fire under control within ten minutes of their arrival.

“Had we been a minute or two later,” said Superintendent Wilson, “it would have been almost impossible to save the building. An inspection of the workrooms revealed the close call that the building had from being totally reduced to ashes. It is certain that if it had not been for the workman’s prompt action in turning the small hose on, the fire would have been far more dangerous. When the brigade- arrived the flames were within a few feet of a large number of costumes, coats, mantles, as well as some large fixtures that were full of fabrics, and had these caught fire the brigade’s task would have been one of the greatest difficulty.” The damage was chiefly confined to the upper part of the building. A number of very delicate sewing machines, which were electrically driven, were destroyed. Mr. Fraser told a SUN reporter that the first that he knew of it was on the ferry boat coming over to town from Devonport this morn-, ing. When a friend of his said: “Is this your place gone up in smoke?” to which Mr. Fraser answered “No.” He arrived at his office to find that it was so. Mr. Fraser estimated his loss to be about £5,000, remarking that four machines were destroyed* that were alone wortfi £350. The building is insured for £f-4.000 in the Royal Exchange Insurance Office, and the plant and stock of Fraser and Co. for £ 8,000 in the Eagle, Star and British Dominions Insurance Office.