A BIG BLAZE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2927, 13 November 1916, Page 6

A BIG BLAZE

TAURANGA BUSINESS BLOCK DESTROYED ESTIMATED LOSS £30,000 By Telegraph—Prtis Assnuii lion. Tauranga, November 12. At 1.45 this morning a fire broke out which ultimately proved to 1)6 one of the most serious conflagrations over known in Tauranga. The liro commenced in Bird's confectionery, on the Strand, almost in the middle of the most southerly "block of buildings. A strongeasterly wind quickly spread the flames to M'Stay's Commercial Hotel (owneil and occupiod by Mr. M'Stay) on one side, and the premises of Mr. Torrance, draper, on the other. Messrs. D. Woollams, stationer: Innes, jeweller; Norris and) Bell, land agents; Meers, photographer; Murdoch, jeweller ; Crossley, talior; Dromgool, solicitor; and portion'of Hammond's timber yard, and Griffith's motor garage followed in quick succession, and by o o'clock nothing remained but twisted iron and smouldering debris.. The fire burnt with great fierceness, nothing being left of the premises or stock except small quantities removed. Mr. Innes, jeweller, had time to remove most of his stock, and to remove valuables fropi the flafo. Mr. Meers, photographer was uninsured, and loses everything. M'Stay's loss is not yet ascertainable, but must be considerable. Bird's confectionery, where the fire commenced, is a total less, covered by insurance'. Mr. Torrance, draper, estimates his loss above insurance at £1000. _ Mr. Murdoch, jeweller, had a small insurance cover. His is almost a total loss, valuables left in the safe being almost totally destroyed. Mr. Crossley, tailor, savedi nearly all his stock, and Mr. Dromgool, solicitor, eaved his books and papers except a few ill tho safe. Mr. Griffiths's motor garage also went, but the cars were removed in good time, but his shop was eaved liis books and papers except a Tho fire spread into Hammond's timber yard, and burst the stock of joinery and timber in the racks, but solid stacks and wet rimu stacked on end saved further progress towards tho south. The brick wall of tlie building, owned bv Mr. Spence, Hawera, stopped the lire, and after burning round into Wharf Street in the other direction a vacant section stopped it. The premises occupied by Messrs.. Innes, Meers, Norris, and Bell and "Woollams were owned by Mrs. Tennant, of Te Kuiti, the Commercial Hoteel by Mr. M'Stay, and the remaining shops by Mr. P. Munro.. It is impossible at present to obtain an accurate statement of the insurances, but tlie following aro known: — Sund, £1460; Guardian, £1400; Commercial Union, £500; Alliance, £800; Queensland, £100; .New Zealand, £100; Atlas, £450; Standard, £1400; but the total is considerably more. The total loss of buildings and stock is roughly estimated-at not less than £30,000. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Fire Board has ordered an inquiry. Mr. Gumbley, superintendent of the Fire Brigade, fell off the roof of a building and injured: his leg. The brigade worked well, but it was impossible to .stay the fire with the heavy wind in such a mass of solid wooden buildings.