STORE DESTROYED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 1

STORE DESTROYED

BLAZE AT PARAKAI ELECTRIC POWER CUT OFF (Special to THE SUN) HELENSVILLE, To-day. Fire destroyed a store at Parakai Hot Springs early yesterday morning. The flames also damaged an electricpower pole nearby, and power was cut off for half an hour. There was a small outbreak in the building about 1.30 a.m., but Mr J. Udy, occupier of the store, thought the blaze had been extinguished when he went to bed in his house alongside the store. At 6 o’clock, however, he was awakened by the roar of the flames, and within half an hour only a smouldering mass of ruins remained. The store, which was owned by Mr. M. Sumich- was insured for a small amount, and there was a policy on the stock also. Mr. Udy, who was been ill lately, was taken to the Auckland Hospital yesterday. BLAZE AT WAIKOWHAI SCRUB AND GORSE ON FIRE About 100 acres of manuka, gorse and scrub was burned at Waikowhai at about nine o’clock on Saturday evening, the fire making a glow in the sky which could be seen for many miles. The Mount Roskill Brigade went out and prevented the flames from spreading to nearby houses. No damage was done. The Mount Albert Brigade suppressed a grass fire in St. Luke’s Road, Morningside, at 7.20 last evening, before it could spread. BIG FIRE JYT WAIROA WOODEN BLOCK BURNED SHOPS AND CABARET DESTROYED Press Association WAIROA, To-day. A disastrous fire broke out at 4.30 а. on Sunday in an old wooden block known as Corkill’s Buildings. Practically the whole place was gutted. Upstairs the building was occupied by a cabaret and the Druids’ Lodge room. The downstairs shops were occupied by Misses McLeod (confectioner), Carr (watchmaker), Gay (upholsterer), Hague (tailor), and Story (auctioneer). Corkill and McLeod are heavy losers, also the Druids, who lost a piano and all lodge property and regalia. Other occupiers saved most of the contents of their shops. The building was owned by Mr. J. Corkill, the Mayor of j Wairoa. GARAGE DAMAGED OUTBREAKS AT WANGANUI Press Association WANGANUI, Sunday. A fire which occurred at three o’clock on Sunday morning did extensive damage to Merewether’s Motor Garage. Practically the whole of the stock, spare parts and 15 cars, including 11 that were parked for (he night, were damaged. The loss will probably amount to £7,000 or £B,OOO. The residence of Mr. Duncan Lowrey, in Turakina Valley, near Wanganui, was destroyed by fire, with all its contents, on Saturday afternoon. No member of the family was at home at the time. FAMILY’S NARROW ESCAPE Press Association INVERCARGILL, Sunday. Fire early this morning totally destroyed a five-roomed dwelling at the corner of Princess and George Streets, South Invercargill, owned and occupied by Mrr. Robert Aitken. The family had a narrow escape. The flames were fanned by a strong wind, and the building was soon destroyed. The house was insured for £4OO and the contents for £l5O. OUTBREAK IN STOREROOM Press Association GISBORNE, Sunday. A storeroom near the centre of the town, owned and occupied by Mr. G. S. Vincent, painter, and containing б, to 7,000 rolls of wallpaper, paints and oils, was badly damaged by fire last night. The building was insured for £2OO, and the stock for £4OO, both in the Sun Office.