ANOTHER BIG BLAZE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 March 1909, Page 5

ANOTHER BIG BLAZE

DEVASTATING FIRE AT BULLS. EIGHT BUILDINCS BURNED. THE BANKS NARROWLY ESCAPE. tBY TILtQBirH—SriCIiL COnaiSFOIIDSNT.I Marton, Marcli 19. An extonsivo firo took plnoo at Bulla shortly after midnight, at Mr. W. B. Clark's now stores, next- to the post office. Tlio firo had obtained a strong hold boforo tho alarm was given. A strong south-easterly wind was Mowing, and tho firo quickly spread to a blacksmith's shop, owned by Mr. J. E. Walker, and occupied by Mr. Harry Green, thenco to Mr. Thomas King's office (Rangitikci. Dairy Company), and theso buildings woro soon demolished. All efforts to stay tho progress of tho firo wcro futile, and tho flames quickly devoured Sir. F. J. Munsell's ironmongery and crockery storeroom, also a dwelling at tho back of theso promises. , Destruction of the Post Office. Tho heat was intense, and the post office fine new brick building took fire under tho caves. Although great efforts wero mado to check this part of tho outbreak they wero of no avail,' and the whole of the interior was burnt out. Only the brick walls aro now standing. At this time tho buildings 011 tho opposite side of the street, in which direction tho wind was blowing, wore in imminent danger, and the premises of Messrs. Gorton and Son and tho office of tho Rangitikci Racing Club caught alight, but willing workers succeeded in arresting this. Tho Town Hall Burned. A strong bucket brigade was soon got together, and efforts wore mado to save tlio' Town Ilall, but, notwithstanding that everything possible was done, tho flames overpowered their efforts, and this building was soon reduced to ashes. An adjoining shop and dwelling, owned by Mr. Mansell, and occupied respectively by Mr. G.. Nicholson and Mr. l'\ Paul, wero nlso doomed, and soon succumbed to tho devouring element. The'bucket brigade now devoted its attention to savnig a tailor's shop (owiied by Mr. John Stevenson and occupied by Mr. Monks), 011 the north side of the post office. In this caso their efforts wero successful. This was fortunate, as other buildings would have gone, including tlio Public Library and Messrs. Jones and M'Gregor's store. Messrs. Mansell and Son's store at tho south end of the street also escaped destruction, but only after a hard struggle. The store, being detached from Mr. Nicholson's shop, allowed room for tlio .public to exerciso tlicir best energies,' and, by systematic work, the fire was chocked. Hero again it was fortunate that the danger was met, for otherwise tho Rangitikci Hotel, the Bank of New South Wales, and tho Bank of New Zealand, together with buildings adjoining, .would inevitably havo been destroyed. What the Insurance Companies Must Face. Nearly every resident of Bulls turned out to witness the fire, which spread with amazing rapidity, owing to tho wind. Tho official records, documents, and letters were saved from the post' office. Tlio stock in Mr. Clark's big store was burnt. He had just opened up his .large shipment of autumn and winter goods, and his loss is heavy. Tlio stock in Messrs. Mansell and Son's storerooms was saved, ljut considerable damage was done by rain and removal. This loss is estimated at £1000. Mr. G. Nicholson succeeded in saving his 6tock and equipments. Mr. Paul also saved his furniture and effects. Insurances, as far as can bo ascertained, aro as follow Mr. Clark's, store was insured for £500 in tho Victoria office. Ho had £1000 on his stock in the same office, and £800 on his stock in tho South British. Tho blacksmith's shop, owned by Mr. Walker, was insured in tho National for £125, and a similar risk was held in the same office 011 the building occupied by Mr. Thomas King. Tho Town Hall was insured for £400 in tho National, Messrs. Mansell and Son's bulk storeroom .(Clark's old shop) was covered with a risk of £465 in the Northern office. Tho same office held a risk of £IGS 011 Mr. Nicholson's shop and dwelling, owned by Mr. F. J. Mansell. ■ As showing tho promptness of tho tote graph department, it may bo. stated that telegraphic arid tolephonio communication was restored in temporary buildings this morning. Mr. Sl'Nickle, postmaster, had 110 insurances, and lie estimates his loss at £150.

Another outbreak occurred between seven and eight o'clock this Three different bedrooms at the Ranjntikei Hotel caught fire, and tho bedding and mattresses were burnt. Tho loss is estimated at about £150. A Government Loss of £2224. The post and telegraph office at Bulls, which was designed by tho Government Architect (Mr. John Campbell) in tho classic renaissance >tyk, was a two-story building in brick, finished with coloured rough cast and red cement dressings, with wide overhanging eaves and an iron roof. Its size was 58ft. Gin. by 32ft. Messrs. Russell and Bignoll, of Wanganui, carried out tho work of ereotion at a 'prico of £2224. Work was commenced in 1905, and the building, which as completed in May, 1006, was opened in Juno by tho late Colonel Pitt, Acting-Postmaster-General, assisted by the late Mr. T. lloso, Inspector of l'ost Offices. Restoring Telegrapltlo Communication. First news of the fire was received in Wellington at about six o'clock, by Mr. \V. -R. Morris, Acting-Secro-tary of the Post and Telegraph Department, from tho postmaster at Bulls, Sir. M'Nicltle, who rotlo over to Mai ton for tho purpose of sending tho message. Two linesmen from adjoining districts wore immediately ■ sent to Bulls, and the instruments saved from the Tiro wero installed ill a temporary building, closo to the sito of the post office. Tlio Chief Postmaster at Wanganui and tho As-sistant-Inspector of l'ost Offices, also went to \ Bulls to help restore communication., Tho head office has advised that telegraphic communication with Bulls was re-established at 9 a.m. yesterday, and telephonic communication with tho outlying district was also rostored by the samo hour, which is considered to bo very quick work.