FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 220, 28 December 1910, Page 5

FIRES.

THE XMAS BATCH. BOARDINGHOUSE DEMOLISHED. ' By TeJegraj>h.--Preßs Association. Hawera, Monday. A fire occurred at Hawera on Sunday morning, by which Mrs. May's boardinghouse (Islington House) and the adjoining premises, occupied by Ah Chang, general storekeeper, were completely destroyed. The outbreak originated in the vicinity of the boardinghouse kitchen, and had a good hold of the building when the brigade arrived. " All the occupants escaped, but were lucky to 'get clear. . The owner (Mrs. May) jumped from the balcony, and' sustained slight injuries.

The boardinghouse was enlarged three months ago at a cost of £650. The insurances are in the Alliance'of. fice, and £7OO in the National on the boardinghouse, and £IOO in the National on -the' furniture. The store premises were.covered for £4OO, and the stock for £650 in the North British office. Other business premises and a residence were slightly damaged. They were insured in the State office.

.j TtfKE IN KENSINGTON STREET.

''-'■.■ Wellington, Monday. !.. A little before 8 o'clock last night, a large house at the corner of Abel- ■ Smith street and Kensington street, known as No. 3 Kensington street, and occupied by Mr. Michael O'Brien as a private boardinghouse, was gutted. The name:of the owner of the building was not ascertainable last night. !No one was afohome when the alarm was raised, and the cause of the fire is unknown. The contents wsre insured for £325 in the United office,-.but the insurances on the building were not available.

While the fire was in progress the house next door, No. 73 Abel Smith street, took fire, and the efforts of the brigade had to be directed to it. S)ne room in the top floor was ..badly damaged; and also the roof, while the rest of the building was damaged by water. This'house is occupied by Mrs. Susan Pederson as a boardinghouse. The contents, were not covered by insurance, and particulars of the insurances on the building'are not known. TIMGER YARD ABLAZE. , Timaru, Monday. At 3 p.m. to-day a fire was discovered in the Westland Timber Compariy's yards on the beach. It appears to have started in ah outhouse, from which the mill buildings on one side and the timber stacks on the other caught fire. The brigade was successful in confining the fire within,small' limits, but several hundred pounds' worth of damage was done. CHRISTCHURCH OUTBREAKS. Christchurch, Monday. The fire brigade had three cajls, one last night, and two early this morningAn unoccupied five-roomed house in Adf dington was totally destroyed at" 3.55* a.m. to-day. The insurances were riaj; available. >-

At 4.10 a.m. to-day a fire was discovered in a five-roomed dwelling in St. Albans occupied by T. Poulter, who, with his family, was absent at the time. Th« front portion of the building was damaged. The State Office has a risk of £1650 on the building. HOUSE DESTROYED. Blenheim, Last Night. A fire occurred to-day, a seven-roomed house being completely destroyed. The cupant were away. The insurance on house and furniture was £450.-