DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT MASTERTON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 511, 19 May 1909, Page 7

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT MASTERTON.

i < TWO-STORY BLOCK DESTROYED. (By. TsLEPnoitB —Special to Thb Dominion.) About ono o'clock this morning an alarm of fire rang out in' Mastorton, and it was soon evident that a serious conflagration was in progress. Indeed, it proved to be one of the most destructive fires that Masterton has 'experienced for some years. The wholo town was roused, and, in Bpito of tho heavy rain that was falling, nearly 'all of tho male population ■ gathered round the burning Tho fire appears to havo originated in a fruit shop and billiard saloon, occupied by a Japanese, named Ah Lop, and, despite the efforts of tho firo brigade, which was quickly on tho scene with all the available fire-fighting, appliances, tho flames spread rapidly to the other portions of the block.' '-'.''' Tho .brigade, assisted by tho police and other helpers, mado a gallant fight to keep the fife in check, but i£ made' its way right I along the top story of tho doomed block, and nearly the whole of the shops on the ground floor wore also burned .out. , ' It was not until after two o'clock that tho brigade got tho mastery over the flames, and , it was close upon threo a.m. before all danger was over. AYhon it became apparent that tho firo must reach Messrs.. Colo and Westcrman's _'drapory shop, willing hands set to work, and a largo,part of tho stock was removed to a place of safety, but of course a groat deal of this ,was damaged. The premises occupied by the following were either seriously damaged by fire and water . or completely destroyed £— Ah Lop, fruit shop and billiard saloon. , Mrs. Homo, refreshment saloon. < Mr. Blinkho'rn, tobacconist. / Mr. Clark, fish shop. Messrs. Cole and Wcsternian, drapers. Tho scene of tho firo was a two-storied wooden block of shops situated close to tho Post Office, and tho wholo block has been practically destroyed. Very little of tho contents appears to havo' been saved, so tho loss to the' occupants must be very severe.