THRILLING FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3798, 8 April 1913, Page 2

THRILLING FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

BOARDINGHOUSE DISCOVERED IN FLAMES. SIX BOARDERS RESCUED WITH A LADDER. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] AUCKLAND, April 7. A two-storied wooden building at the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets, occupied by Miss Elizabeth Smith as a boarding house, was discovered on fire early on Sunday morning by the watchman on the fire tower. The brigade arrived smartly. Denso smoke obscured the Victoria Street frontage. A cry was raised that there were several persons at the upstairs windows. A ladder was quickly in requisition, and six boarders were brought safely to tho street. It was reported that a man and woman were still in the building. The man was found on the upper floor unconscious, being overcome by smoke. Ho revived soon after being removed t-o safety. A fireman found tho woman on the staircase, which she had been descending when her escape was cut ofF by fire, She had collapsed on the landing. She was carried out, and soon recovered. None of the boarders are much fhe worse for the experience, except- a colored man named Johnston, who cut his hand badly when breaking a window.

One of the firemen, Bradley, while assisting in the rescue work, was overcome by smoke. Some difficulty was experienced in locating him, but he was finally got out, being little the worse for the experience.

The brigade got tho fire extinguished in about ten minutes. The damage was not great, most of the furniture having been removed on the previous day. The fire is believed to have originated in the kitchen, and spread up the staircase, cutting off the people sleeping upstairs.