SERIOUS CONFLAGRATIONS. Auckland, January 2.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 331, 5 January 1889, Page 3

SERIOUS CONFLAGRATIONS. Auckland, January 2.

About 10 p.m. on Monday last a fire broke out in a barber's shop adjoining the Swan Hotel, at Mechanics' Bay. The shop was occupied by Mr Morris Jackson, and was one of a block of buildings held on lease by Mr L. D. Nathan. The block in which the fire occurred consists of about eleven rooms, divided by a passage into two shop front*, one of which was empty. Both had been undergoing repairs for two weeks previously. The Fire Brigades from Auckland and Parnell were promptly i?i attendance, but were unable to arrest the progress of the fire before considerable damapre was done. Jackson's shop was completely gutted, but, the lest of the building wa^ not. damaged. The fire, however, extended to the Swan Hotel, destroyed the eastern wall, and seriously damaged the rooms on the tipper floor. The furniture in the building was also badly injuied by water. The hotel is owned by Mr Ehrenfried, and at the time of the fire it was occupied by Mr Jno. Kowbotham. licensee. The hotel was insured for £1600 in the South British and Mr Robotham's stock and fvivniture was insured tor £300 in the Nation;)). Jackson had about £30 worth of stock in his place and lie bad no insurance on tht same. The origin of the fire is unknow n. •lackson states that he was busily engaged in his shop when some boys informed him that the premises were on fire. He found the back of the building in flames. and gave the alarm. He cannot give any idea as to how the five originated.