FIRE IN AUCKLAND

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 81, 26 September 1911, Page 5

FIRE IN AUCKLAND

INMATES' NARROW ESCAPE. •By ■ Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Monday. Shortly before two o'clock this /morning a Are was noticed by a constable in a fruit and confectionery shop Known as "The Rest," in- the King's Court buildings in Upper Queen street. The shop was occupied by Mrs. Levy. It is in the centre of a new. brick .block owned by Neville Newcomb. About the same time the neighbors were aroused by the loud screams of Mrs. Levy, who was sleeping upstairs in the back portion of the premises. She was awakened by the smoke, and she hastily aflarmcd son, Noel Levy, and a lady-help, Miss Nellie Woods, both of whom were also sleeping on the same flat. By this time the fire had c. <»ood hold, and as the retreat of the three inmates was cut off from the back, they made their way through the dense smoke, and, by breaking a front window, gained access to the verandah. . The women were' teriiliwl. as the great flames began to lick their way through the roof. The brigade arrived at this stage, and rcscued the two women and the young man, who were all clad in night attire, from their dangerous position. The outbreak was suppressed in about twenty minutes, but not before the'building had been practically gutted. Little damage, except by water and smoke, was done to the two shops adjoining. BLENHEIM HOUSE DESTROYED. Blenheim, Monday. Early this morning an old two-storey-ed house in Henry street, owned by T. Da vies and occupied by W. Stevens, metaphysician, was totally destroyed by lire, together with all the contents. Owing to the absence, of water the brigade was able to do nothing. The origin of the outbreak is a mystery. The building was insured for £200" in the Phoenix, office and the furniture for £3(10 in the Commercial Union. ' SUPPOSED INCENDIARISM. Timaru, Last Night. At about 5 a.m. a bathroom at the rear of Dr. Dryden's residence, a wooden house, was found to be on fire. Mrs. and Hiss Dryden were sleeping in an adjoining room and were awakened by the articles falling. The brigade saved tho rest of the house. About .€IOO worth of damage was done, but it is covered by insurance. There is good ground, for suspecting incendiarism.

If your property is not call at or ring up the United Insurance Company, Ltd., Devon street; telephone 198. Webster Bros., District agents. Insurances effected on the most favorable terms.—Adyt.