DISASTROUS FIRE.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 243, 3 February 1898, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE.

SIX HOUSES DESTROYED AT TON SON BY. (DY TELEGRAPH.—OWN COKBESrONDF.NT). AUCKLAND, Last NL.lit. One of the most disastrous fires ever known in Pontonby broke out this afternoon, and within an lu.ur fit least six houses were completely destroyed and ha'fa-do/.cn others badly damaged. The outbreak occurred in a tobacconist's shop at the corner of Jervois and St. Mary's Raid*. How the fire originated is not. known. Tlie owner (Mendel) was at the races, and had locked up the shop w h n he left in the morn'ng. It is thought by some that a passer by may huve dropped a lighted match on the newly-taired footpath by the shop front, and the tar catching (ire set the binding alight. The fact that the fire started in the front part of the building would support this theory. Of the houses destroyed two were own- d by Wheeler and three by Swales. The houses burned were occupied by Mendel (tobaecoirst), Mrs Merrick, J. Leonard, Mrs Thompson, Miss Shepherd and O'Brien. Oswald's drapery shop had a narrow escape, oni the stock was damaged by water. Oswald's building is injured in the Standard for £.jCO, and his stock in the Eoyal for £SOO. O'Brien's house was insured in the South British for £"250. Ho estimates h ; s lo sat £3OO. The billiard tables and stock of Mcn-d-l's were insured for £l7O in the Norwich Union Ollice. The three houses owned by Swales were uninsured. Four houses which were partly damaged were owned by Hough. It is not known if he is insured.