MYSTERY FIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 764, 10 September 1929, Page 1

MYSTERY FIRE

NEW HOUSE GUTTED IN MOUNT ALBERT EARLY MORNING OUTBREAK An element of mystery surrounds the outbreak of fire at an early hour this morning, which completely gutted a new nineroomed house. unoccupied, in Taylor’s Road, Mount Albert. The house, which was owned by Mr. Bruce Scott, and recognised as one of the most up-to-date in the district, was nearing completion, the builders being employed with finishing touches on the inside. At 1.30 o'clock this morning, neighbours noticed the place in flames, and by the strong hold which the fire had. it was thought that it had been burning then for about 20 minutes. The Mount Albert Fire Brigade was immediately called. It was necessary to run the hose along a narrow drive, under construction, for over 300ft“and the fire was then blazing furiously. At daybreak the section presented a scene of ruin and heaped debris although smart work by the firemen had resulted in saving the side wall and one of the front rooms. It is most difficult to throw any light on the cause of the outbreak. Electric wires had been fitted, but the current had not been turned on and it is thought that the fire first started near the bathroom and then swept through, aided by a slight wind. The builder employed on the house, Mr. C. H. Fargher. and his men. stopped work at 5.30 p.m. yesterday when all the doors of the build ng were locked. The house, which was empty of any furniture, was insured for £1,250 in the Standard Insurance Company, but there was no insurance on the builders’ tools, all of which were destroyed.