GREAT FIRE AT AUCKLAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1531, 30 December 1886, Page 2

GREAT FIRE AT AUCKLAND.

' Lvcklasv, Dec. 29. At about balf-psst one this morning a destructive fire,broke out in Hobson street. It originated on the premises of K. Brown, baker,, and extonded tt) the adjoining shop of Lsngley, botoher. The brigade were successful in atoppiog the fire at GbldWateVs, on the north side, but were nnaucceesfnl in arresting the progress of the flames southwards, j as, fanned by the breezy, they speedily * attacked the premises of a chemitfJ' (Robinson),; which formed part of % \ large wooden block extending to Weilington street It; w»a • now Been that the fire would prove a serious one, and the occupants.of the adjacent threatened! buildings toffimenced clearing ont the whole of the contents. The firemen got a lead on to the verandah of Robinson's with a view of checking the fire in the upper storey, another lead on McCulky's block, as welt as one to the rear of the block, but after a desperate struggle they were obliged to fall back, and take up positions further southward. The premises of Robinson (chemist), Townsend (painter). <nd Mrs flam berg (herbalist) Bucces.irely fell a prey to the flames, despite the heroic efforts of the firemen, and it itemed at one time ai if the whole block would go to Readell't (draper), corner of Wellington street. Owing to the desperate exertions of th* firemen, the fire was at last stopped m the premises of McCulky (undertakjlff). The residence of Mr Cooper, at the back of Robinson's.was; also destroyed. Tbe total damage is estimated at over £4OOO, and the insurances about £3OOO, The latter, so far as aseer. tained, are as under .-—Brown (baker), £225, London and Lancashire ; Lairs ley's shop, £590, Standard; GoM water's building and furniture, £H7(j[/ South British ; Robinson's and Cooper's shops, £2OO, New Zealand ; McCulkj and Mrs Haraberg's buildings sol stock, £725, Colonial; Rendell's stock, damaged bj water, £BOO, Norwich Union. The origin of the fire is a mystery. A man who slept on Brown's premises awoke and found the place ia

flsntes. The fin brigade wsr greatly commended for the way in which they fought the fire with the insufficient pressors of water, as bnt for their exertions much more damage would hart been don?.