TWO HOUSES BURNT IN KYBER PASS. Auckland, September 3. TWO SERIOUS FIRES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 296, 5 September 1888, Page 3

TWO HOUSES BURNT IN KYBER PASS. Auckland, September 3.

TWO SERIOUS FIRES.

A bout 7.30 yesterday evening a fire occurred in a block of wooden buildings situated at the corner of Kyber Pass Road and Arawa .street. It appears to have been first discovered by a Mr Boon, who is employed at Messis W. Phillipps and Son, Queen.street. The alarm was late in reaching the ecnlral station, and consequently the Fire Brigade were not early in attendance. Anothortvouble arose from the fact that there was practically no preb&ure of water from the Kyber Pa-s reservoir, and consequently the ellortb of the Brigade had little eiiect until the water from the Mount Eden reservoir was turned on. This gave a splendid force, and in a short time afterwards the fire was got under, but not until two dwelling houses had been destroyed. The house in which the fire originated was one of a block of three six-roomed, which are the property of Mr Albert Eaton. At the corner house a small shop was erected, in which Mrs L. W. Eaton carried on a fruit and lolly business, the house at the rear being occupied by Mr and Mrs L. W. Eaton. It was here that the fire started, being first noticed in the rear of the dwellinghou&e, somewhere near the kitchen. The flames spread rapidly, but nevertheless the neighbours succeeded in saving an amount of the furniture. Shortly after the alarm was rung out on the bells, the Kyber Branch Brierade arrived. The next to appear on the scene was Captain Field \\ ifch the Sah age Corps brake which arrived at 12 minutes to 8 o'clock. Two minutes later Superintendent Hughes reached the tire. By that time the flames had extended to the adjacent re&idence, which a\ as occupied by Mr James Henderson, a ! warder in' the Mount Eden Gaol. All his tuiniture and eftects had however been moved to a place of safety. Here it was that the Brigade successfully combated the fire and prevented it from spreading any further. The houses in Arawa-stieetand Kyber Pass which were nearest these on tire weie slightly damaged. The piemises at the opposite corner, which aie occupied by Mr Hedger, the butcher, wcie considerably scorched, but some men mounted the root and drew up water with i buckets and kept the shingles well damped. Both the houses which were dettroyed aie the property of Mr Albert Eaton, and weie insured for £200 each in the (South Biitish Company. Mr L. W. Eaton's furniture was covered by a policy in the Norwich Union Company ior Cl5O. The store was in.smed for £50 or £60. The stock in the s4iop was becured for £50 in the Norwich Union. Mr Hendersons furniture was insured for £40 in the Royal Co. Mr and Mrs Eaton, senior, were visiting a relation at Arch Hill when the fireoccmred. Mrs, Eaton btafcts thac when she went ouo in the afternoon .some fire was left on a colonial oven in the kitchen. As might be expected from the earliness of ihe hour at which the -tire occurred, an immense crowd congregated and swarmed up the adjoining banks to watch the progress of the flames. Inspector Broham and a number of police were also present.