Destructive Fire at Auckland.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2487, 29 December 1886, Page 2

Destructive Fire at Auckland.

(united press association,) Auckland, this day. • About'half past ono this morning a destructive fire broke out in Hobson-st. It originated on the premises of of Brown the baker, and extended to the adjoining shop of Lanaley, butcher. The Brigade were successful in stopping the fire at Gold waters on the'north side, but were unsuccessful in arresting progress of flames southwards as favored by a breeze they speedily attacked the premises of Robinson's chemist shop, which formed a part of a large wooden block extending to/Wellington Street. It was now seen that the fire would prdve- a. destructive one. and the occupants of the adjacant threatened.,•buildings', began clearing out the whple pi [their contents'. The firemen got lead on fjp the' verandah of Robinson's, with a view of checking 'the'fire in the upper, stpry, afld another lead on tq McCutohy's Block, while another was tp the rear of the Block, 1 bui after a deuperajp struggle they wero obliged to fell back, and take up positions

i further- southivardrv^Thot-premises. of of Robinson (Chemist), Tow'nsend (fruiterer), andi--Mrs; Homberg (Herbalist). Successively; fell prey to the flanies. Despite the lieroic endeavors of tho fire-; men!, and - helpors, it .seemed at. brie time as if, ; the, whole, block would go to Eendell's,'draper, corner of polling;' toft-street,' 'i.Owing to the desperate 'exertions of the firemen the tiro was at last Btopped at the • premises.. of N. McCaulsky, undertaker. The residence of Mr Cooper, as tho back of • Robinsons,; ,wa3 The total, damage ia estimatbS at over L4doo','and insurances 1 ' •about L3OOO. Tho latter, as far as ascertained, are as under: Brown, baker, -L225, London and-Lancashire ;Langley's shop, LSOO, 'Standard;'.' Goldwater's building and furniture, LB7O, -South British; Minsk and Cooper's shop, L3OO. New' Zealand; McCaulsky and MrsHowberg, building and stock L 725, Colonial; RendeH's stock,- damaged by water, LSOO, Norwich Union.

The origin of the fire is a mystery. A man who slept on Brown's premises, awoke and found the place in flames. The Fire Brigado, should be greatly commanded for the way in which thoy fought the lire with an insufficient pressure of water, as but for their exertions much more damage would have beon done,