BLAZE IN PAPATOETOE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 73, 17 June 1927, Page 1

BLAZE IN PAPATOETOE

THIRD IN SIX WEEKS GARAGE DESTROYED THREE TRUCKS BURNED One of the most spectacular flroo which has occurred in Papatoetoe broke out last night about 9 o’clock, when a garage, owned by Mr. W. 11. Hamilton, contractor, of Park Avenue, was completely destroyed, together with the contents, which consisted of one 30ewt. and two 2-ton Republican trucks, the two latter being loaded with firewood. The building also contained a quantity of benzine, which had been deliv ered that afternoon at 4 o’clock. The building, which was of corrugated iron, was soon a total wreck. It was insured in the British Traders’ Office, while the insurance on the lorries, valued at £2,000, is held by Messrs. Cavanagh and Co., Auckland. The alarm was given by Mr. Gray Owen, who lives opposite the garage. With Mr. A. R. Hamilton he made many gallant attempts to rescue one of the lorries, but the fierce heat drove them back.

The owner was absent at the time of the fire. Its origin has not yet been ascertained. One of the employees had just finished his work and put lii r lorry away half an hour before the outbreak. When the doors were burst open one of the lorries loaded with wood was discovered to be on fire. This is the third fire which has occurred in Papatoetoe in six weeks and the township is without a brigade alarms or equipment for fire-fighting. ’