THE FIRE EPIDEMIC. THREE CONFLAGRATIONS ON SUNDAY. FIRE AT FENTONVS HAT MANUFACTORY. BLOCK OF SHOPS IN NEWTON DESTROYED. Auckland March 18.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 352, 20 March 1889, Page 5

THE FIRE EPIDEMIC. THREE CONFLAGRATIONS ON SUNDAY. FIRE AT FENTONVS HAT MANUFACTORY. BLOCK OF SHOPS IN NEWTON DESTROYED. Auckland March 18.

The fkobells were nob allowed much rest on Sunday, no leBB than three separate conflagrations of a serious character having occurred in the city and suburbs. The first was an outbreak at the shop of Mr W. H. Fenton, hab manufacturer, of Queen-street, and the damage done thero was estimated afc about £1,500. Tho next attack made by the fire-fiend wa3 on a block of shop 3 in Karangahapo Road, where about £1,000 damage was done. Thon followod another outbreak in (Jundry-sbreet, destroying one house, and damaging another to the extent of a few hundred pounds.

FIRE AT FENTON'S SHOP. About 2.30 a.m. on Sunday Constable Rowles, who was on duty in Queen-slreeb, had his attention drawn to Mr W. H. Fenton's shop by the noise of something falling inside the premises. Looking through the openings between the shutters he saw that the ceiling was on lire about the centre. The flames app ared to have a good hold, having burned through tho iloor, and goods from the upper storey were falling to the ground floor. Constable Howe! l, who was close al hand, gave the alarm, and Constablo Rowles sent word to the Fire Brigade station. Sergeant Lyons then arrived, and he and Constable Rowles succeeded in ellecting an enttance by removal of a shutter. They removed some of the burning goods from the immediate vbinity of the fire on the uppei storey, and thus prevented a serious spread of the flames upwards. The Fire Brigade under (Superintendent Hughes arrived promptly, and water being plentiful they speedily had full control of the elements. Subsequent examination showed that although the actual damage done by tire was nob great, stock and plant had been a good deal injured. The tire appeared to have originated in a store-room situated above tho shop, and was confined to that room, except that a considerable portion of the floor and ceiling below was burned. Beyond this there was no damage except that done by smoke and water. Tho building, which is one of Sommerville's block, was only veiy slightly injured. It is believed to be insured in the South British Company, bub for what amount we aic not informed, the insurance offices being closed to-day. 3\lr Fenton's plant and stock were insured for i -€3,100 in the New Zealand office, and ho estimates his loss, roughly, at about half that amount. The origin of the fiio is a mystery. Mr Fen ton states that he closed i the shop at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday evening, and that Mr Jones, hia clerk, who had been out yachting, called about 10.30 p.m. and changed his boating costume for ordinary clothing left at the shop. Mr Jones ftates that he left everything apparently quite safe, and a lad who was employed upstairs during Saturday afternoon says that no light of any kind was u&ed there. The oiigin of the fire is therefore a mystery, aud is now the subject of investigation.