URGE FIRES IN CITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 271, 6 February 1928, Page 1

URGE FIRES IN CITY

Extensive Damage Done

BRIGADE’S GOOD SERVICE

A UCKLAND S -fire-fighters had a busy time last night and 5 1 earl y morning. Shortly after 11.30 last evening nre swept the Mining Chambers, Queen Street, and Tonson Garlick s shop in Karangahape Road, was badly damaged by fire at 4.24 a.m.

'J'ONSON GARLICK’S shop was

practically gutted on the ground floor and the furniture on the second and top floors badly damaged by smoke and heat.

The back portion of the ground floor suffered the most, piles of carpets, shelves of material and rolls of linoleum all being totally destroyed. The switchboard, where Superintendent Wilson is of the opinion the fire started, and where the effects of the fire are most apparent, is situated at the rear of the ground floor. In the frcT't of the shop sewing machines, shelves of towels and rolls of material have all suffered from the smoke -and heat, and though the linoleum room in the basement escaped the flames, smoke and water have caused damage and the whole stock has been spoilt. The first floor, housing suites, chairs and other furniture, has practically escaped the fire, but smoke and heat have caused considerable damage. The same applies to the top floor, where bedroom suites, wardrobes and dressing tables have suffered, and hundreds of pounds worth of mirrors have been spoilt.

When the brigade arrived it was faced with a hard task as the fire had

a firm hold, but in the circumstances a good save was made. The insurances are not available. All messages and business will be conducted at Tonson Garlick’s factory in Lome Street in the meantime. In September, 1897, the premises in Queen Street were burnt down and the structure, which is now being demolished to make room for the new St. James’s Theatre, was erected. The firm had only occupied the Karangahape Road premises since last July, when it took over the business of Butchers, Ltd. MINING CHAMBERS ABLAZE The block of offices in Mining Chambers, Queen Street, was almost totally destroyed by a fire which broke out a little after 11.30 last evening. Starting apparently on the first floor, the fire spread through all the offices at that level, and, sweeping up the stairways, attacking those above. The entire flooring was well alight when the City Brigade was called out. The offices which suffered most were those occupied by Messrs. Berman and Burton, barristers and solicitors, at the street end of the second floor. From here the fire seems to have swept upwards, badly charring, the tables and woodwork in the Belmont Tea Rooms. Here the plate and crockery was all destroyed. Fortunately the kitchen is situated in the adjoining buildings, and Is separated by a concrete jwall and a fireproof door. Smoke only had damaged this room. The studio of the Quoin, Club, on the second floor, is only slightly damaged. A few slates from the roof were detached by the fire, but did no harm. On the first floor the damage seems to have been greatest at the back centre of the building, where the offices are a total loss. The back room, however, is untouched. Damage was done by water in the shops on the ground floor occupied by Mrs. Ansenne, florist; Mr. Jamieson, tobacconist; and Hugh Wright’s, Ltd., mercers. The Mining Chambers are owned by the Dingwell Estate, and by Hugh Wright’s, Ltd. The owners are insured for £3,350 with the Alliance Company, and for £350 in the New Zealand Company’s office. The other policies, held by Hugh Wright’s, Ltd., are for £4,000 with the Phoenix Company, and £1,500 with the Norwich Union. Other insurance figures are: C. L. Stevenson, wholesale stationers, £2,000, Alliance Office; W. J. Jamieson, tobacconist, £BOO, National Office, and £3OO with the London and Lancashire Company; Belmont Tea Rooms, £6OO, Alliance; Berman and Burton, £350, Home Company; Quoin Club, £200; North British, and £IOO New Zealand Company; Mrs. Ansenne, £250 with New Zealand Company; Raylite Signs, Ltd., and J. Graham, builders, £IOO each in the Phoenix and South British Offices respectively; G. H. Baker, broker, £75 In New Zealand Office; and Dean, tailor, £SO with the United Company