FIRE AT THE FREEZING WORKS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 382, 6 July 1889, Page 5

FIRE AT THE FREEZING WORKS.

Auckland, July 4. A fire was discovered in the ISTew Zealand Frozen .Meat and Stoiare Company's premises last night by a man who was walking on the Queen-street Wharf. He drew Constable Dunne's attention to the glare in the top windows. That officer ran round, and upon becoming assured that the premises were on fire in the top storey, he ran across fco the Britoraarb Hotel and telephoned the alarm to the Fire Brigade Station. He then went round to the New Zealand Insurance Company's Buildings to get the alarm bell rung. This was about 9.50 o'clock, and shortly afterwards the Brigade and fcJahage Corp? were on the spot. From the first it was patent that the fire was confined to one room in the top story jib the rorth end ot the building. Superinbendant Hughes turned on the water at the top window which soon stove in the trlass, and quenched' the fire. Some difheulby was experienced in entering the premises in consequence of the massive iron gates at the main entrance, and the strong; doors locked ab each successive floor. The men were compelled to force their way with crowbars. On reaching the scene of the fire it was found that ib had originated in the room where labels and bales of butter-cloths were stored. jJThe fire had evidently started under the bench just before the front windows amongst the labels, and had then spread to the bales of cloth. It was just discovered in time, as the fire Had burned through the floor to the I ceiling of the manager's room underneath. The tobal damage should be covered by £100 as the water appears to have mosbly run down bho staircase without injuring anything. The origin of the fire seems bo have been accidental. The room was under the charge of JSJigs Allen. When the employees left about 6 o'clock everything seemed all right. The detectives made a careful examination, bub could anive at no other conclusion than that the fire was accidental. Of course the loss is covered by the large insurance on these premises, which is distiibuted through various offices in the city. As there was little flame to .be seen nob many persons ran round to the fire, and consequently the police present had no trouble with bhe crowd. Inspecbor Broham and Sex*geanb-Major Prabb were present, and most o^ the constables and detectives in bhe cily.