300 Horses Burned.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 269, 23 April 1915, Page 4

300 Horses Burned.

TERRIBLE RSE IK AUCKLAND. DAMACE ESTIMATED AT" £20,500. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. About ii'in; o'clock to-night a very large stable at the foot.; of St. George's Bay P.oad, owned by ■). J. Craig, Ltd., 'one of the principal carrying firms in Auckland, suddenly hurst into flames. The lofts wt re full of straw and hay, and this is hclieved to account for the fact that the flames spread ho rapidly that it was found' impossible to save the horses. There were 1:0 less than three hundred magnificent animals, of the average value of .€4O each, in the stable, and of these only tlrree were saved. In addition, many lorries and drays and a large quantity of equipment were destroyed. The origin of the fire is entirely unknown, and its amazingly rapid spread is a source of much speculation. It was a new building—the .builders, in fact, had not given it the final touches yet, and it covered 290 feet by 120 feet. Two men were ! n the stable when the -mtbroak was discovered, yet so quickly did the flames spread over the whole building that they could do little more than save themselves and leave the three hundred horses to their fate. Spectators say that for about five minutes only the screeches of the unfortunate animals could he heard, and then the roof fell, and they were' silent. Tim loss is estimated as follows: Horses, .€12,00(1; buiruings, £7000; fodder, carts, and harness, ,€(i5l)0; electric equipment, £ 1000; total .€20,300. The insurances are unascertainablc.