A FIRE ALARM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 269, 23 March 1911, Page 5

A FIRE ALARM

OUTBREAK IN DEVON STREETi About 10.20 last night, Mr. Chatterton noticed smoke issuing from an upstairs window of the building at the corner of Devon and Currie streets, owned by tie Union Bank of Australasia, part of is by them for banking purposes, and the remainder by Mr. A. S. Hasell, tent and oiNkin maker. He promptly telephoned the brigade, who arrived very smartly, under Superintendent Bellringer, and in a few moments had the Are suppressed. The outbreak occurred in some rubbish thait had been left in the oorner of a room utilised by Mr. Hasell as a workroom and storeroom. The rubbish ,waa practically all that was destroyed, the walls and floor being only slightly charred. It is fortunate the alarm was given so quickly, because .the room a considerable quantity of oils and other inflammable matter, as well as thirty or forty recently oiled garments, which were hung about to dry, none of which, however, caught fire. The banking premises undernea.th were inundated with water, which will cause some damage, as well as much inconvenience to the officials. The stuck in Mr. Ha sell's shop on the grown! floor wajs not touched by the water. Mr. Hasell is away in Wellington, and his manager (Mr. Clow) is unable to account for the fire, as no light or fire of any description had, to hi* knowledge, been used yesterday. The building is iimircd .for COOO, and the bank tittinirs and furniture for £3OO in the Alliance. The insurance on> M*. Hasell's stock was not ascertainable last night. \