ANOTHER DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. Four Shops Destroyed.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 10 July 1886, Page 4

ANOTHER DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. Four Shops Destroyed.

Auckland, July 3. Betweek 2 and 3 o'clock this morning another disastrous fire occurred, thia time in Hobson-street, in a block of shops belonging to Mr James Rutherford, of Papakura. A night watchman named Charles Henry Matthews was one of the first to notice the flames. He states that he waa passing down Hobson-street about 2.50 a.m., when he noticed smoke issuing from the premises. He at once gave the alarm of fire, and in company with Constable Carroll, was almost immediately afterwards in attendance. Ho went to the rear .of the building, and found the crockery shop of Mr Lee enveloped ia smoke. Constable Carroll and Mr Lumsden (telegraphist) burst open one of the doora to rouee Mr Lee, who is an aged single man, and was alone in the house, but that gentleman had already been awakened by the cries of Miss Clark, who occupied the adjoining house. It was evident that the nre had originated in Mr Lee's shop, and from the hold it had obtained when discovered, it must have been smouldering for some time. The smoke which issued was remark&hly dene©, and enveloped the whole neighbourhood.- The only other occupants residing in the blocK were Mr and Mrs Clark and family of four, who resided in the next shop to Mr Lee, Mr Clark bein^ the manager for the Auckland Dairy Co. He was awakened by a crackling noise amongst the pots in Mr Lee's shop, and he at one roused up his family, who quickly left the premises. Mrs Clark remained behind to gather a few thinga to put on the children, and had -a narrow escape from being suffocated by the emoke, which came up in such dense volumes that she was unable to leave by the doorway, and was compelled to get j through an upstairs window on to the verandah. From there Mrs Clark attempted to jump to the street, but was fortunately prevented by a man who was at hand. A ladder was quickly procured, and she was landed in safety in the street. The Fire Brigade were soon in attendance, and succeeded in confining the fire to the block in which it originated, there being a vacant allotment at each side of the four shops destroyed The Brigade, asusual, v> oi ked well, but were seriously hampered by the density of smoke, which prevented them from approaching near the seat of the fire. At length the flames burst through, and burned fiercely, the whole block being; completely gutted. The buildings this morning present a wrecked appearance, but when, viewed from the rear they iorm an honourable testimony to the •sfEcency of the Fire Brigade, assisted by our copious water supply. Insurances. Mr Lee's ptock waa insured in the Equitable for £500. Mr Clark had hia private furniture covered by a policy for £100 in the National Insurance Company. He estimates hia additional lose at £150. Misa Reids stock was insured for £150 in the South British Company. As Mr Ruthford does not live in the city, the amount of hia insurance on the building has not been ascertained.