WEEK-END FIRES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 265, 30 January 1928, Page 9

WEEK-END FIRES

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE FACTORY ABLAZE Numerous fires in the city and suburban districts during -the week-end caused extensive damage to property. The largest fire was in the factory of C. G. Laurie, Ltd., in Stanley Street, where damage amounting to over £9,G00 was done. In other fires two houses were totally destroyed and others damaged. Grass fires were troublesome. fJtHE Confectionery making section

of Laurie's factory was destroyed almost completely by the fire on Saturday afternoon, and the biscuit making department severaely damaged Machinery to the value of £3,000 is a total loss and other machines worth over £6,000 are damaged. The building, a two-storeyed; brick structure, is badly burned, the damage being estimated at £6,000. The Are began on the first floor above the ovens used in the manufacture of biscuits and spread through the back portion. The front of the building is undamaged as is also the store-house adjoining. The stock was damaged a little by water before the City and Parnell brigades could get the outbreak under control. There are sufficient biscuits in stock to supply the demand for several days, and it is hoped to have this section of the factory in full working order by the end of the week before supplies are exhausted. It will be several months, however, before the confectionery department will be reopened as some of the machinery will have to be replaced. The manager of the company denied this morning that the company has had three former fires. Part of the building, which then belonged to another firm was damaged some time ago. The present fire was in the new section, built in wood and iron. This has been in use for only about five years. The plant was insured for £12,000 with the South British Company, which also holds a policy for £4,500 on the factory. The building is insured for a further £2,500 with the New Zealand Insurance Company. Houses Destroyed A large unoccupied two-storeyed house at the corner of Wilson Street and Park Road, Ellerslie, was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. When the Ellerslie brigade was called out the house was a mass of flames and nothing could be done to save the building. Efforts were concentrated on saving the adjoining houses, only 16ft. away. The side of one was badly scorched and windows cracked. A neighbour states he heard an explosion shortly before the fire was first seen. The flames had too good a hold when the brigade arrived to discover the cause of the outbreak. The house was owned by Mr. F. Alpe. _ Fire completely destroyed a fiveroomed house at 19 Bell Road, Remuera, late on Saturday afternoon. The house was owned by Mr. Sans* bury, of Bell Road, and was occupied by Mr. G. G. Empson. The fire had a good hold when the Remuera brigade arrived, and practically nothing could be saved. Mrs. Empson had left the house about an hour before the fire was first seen, and everything was in order then. __ ___ The house was insured for £2BO in the National Insurance Companys office, and the contents for £l5O with the Royal Exchange Company. Mr. Empson is a heavy loser. Small Grass Fires Weatherboards on a house in Gordon Road, Mount Albert, were charred by a fire which broke out in the grass around the building on Saturday afternoon. The Mount Albert Brigade soon subdued the flames. terday afternoon the brigade vss called out, this time to a blai.e on a section in Altham Avenue, where two houses were threatened. The paintwork of one was scorched- Two small fires, one in Veronica Terrace ind the other in Troonville Avenue, were suppressed by the same brigade during the week-end. , . . The Devonport Brigade extinguished a fire in Hinemoa Avenue on Saturda At a Y3o l p.m. yesterday the One Tree xxiii Fire Brigade was called out to H in aT orchard in Rockfield Road Fruit trees were burned, but “•sr-rSS:

broke out yesterday afternoon. The roof and a portion of the top floor were destroyed before the City brigade could extinguish the blaze. The Takapuna fire brigade extinguished two small gras fires on Saturday afternoon, one in Killarney Street and the other in Jutland Road.

NO REFRESHMENTS FIRE AT OHAKUNE STATION Passengers on the Limited from Wellington last night failed to obtain the customary cup of tea at Ohakune. Fire had broken out in the kitchen of the refreshment rooms at 10.20 o’clock, not long before the arrival of the Limited. Considerable damage was d.ne to the kitchen and also to the office of the Inspector, of permanent ways. i