FIRE AT KAIAPOI.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18905, 21 January 1927, Page 10

FIRE AT KAIAPOI.

BLACKWELLS, LTD. HEAVY DAMAGE. Dama&e, which is **P<*ted to amount to some thousands of pounds, was caused yesterday afternoon by an outbreak of fire at the lug establishment of Blaokwells, Ltd., kaiapoi, importers and general merchants, on the corner of High and Haven streets, Kaiapoi. The fire winch started jii the workroom of the dressmaking department, on the first floor, u supposed to have been caused by. a heated electric iron, tho current being on acoidentally The fii* 1)!W * a Rootl ho ' l ' of ih dressmaking room when the alarm was sounded, a»cl owing to the dense gmoko the Brigade was considerably hampered in Retting the fire under control. Two leads of hose were used from tho motor engines and one from the steam engine- , ■ i i , Tho dressmaking workroom and uirnishing department, on the top floor, were badly damaged by fire and water, ! and extensive damage -was also caused by water to the millinery, mantle, and clothing department, on tho ground floor. Recently tho dressmaking room, which was not permanently used for tho purposes of dressmaking, was converted into a store-! oorh. It is understood that someone went into the workroom to uso an electric iron, but finding the power cut off, went. out. Later, however, the power came on, ojtd it is surmised that, in consequence of the switch not being turned off in the room, the heated iron started to fire. The. building is insured in the London and Lancashire Insurance Co. for £11,600; and the contents for £12,000 ifli the same office.