FIRE AT NELSON

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3039, 28 March 1917, Page 4

FIRE AT NELSON

BIG BLAZE IN TRAFALGAR STREET DAMAGE RUNS INTO MANY , THOUSANDS By Telegraph.— Fresß Association. Nelson, March 27. . The most disastrous fire that baa ooourred in Nelson, for many years broke out in a block of wooden shops in. Trafalgar Street to-night. The premises of Lightband and Co., boot and shoo importers; Jackson and Co., Ltd.) booksellers and stationers; and W. 0. Ansell, chemist, were totally detroyed, bb also ; were the . bulk stores of Messrs. Boston and Co., Ltd., ironmongers and general rnerohants, running behind the premises mentioned. ■ , • Buxton's main building, a large brick struoture, separated from Jackson's by a narrow right-of-way, was for a long time in great danger., the fire repeatedly breaking into the top floor. The strenuous efforts of the brigade, however, prevented the spread of the flames in this direction, Messrs. Buxton and Co.'b loss, as far as the main building is concerned, being confined to that due to heat, emoke, and water. On the north the fire was checked' by the new brick building owned by Messrs. Brown Bros., and occupied by Trathen and C 0 . ,, drapers. The damage in these premises was light, and wholly caused by heat and smoke. Salvage from Jackson's, Lightband's,, and Buxton'e bulk stores was impossible, but some of Ansell's stock was got out. The damage will run into many thousands; but estimates have not yet been arrived at. Details of the insurances are not available tonigbt, but those on Lightband'e stock and Jackson and Co.'s buildings and stock are all in the Alliance Office, and Burton's in the New Zealand Office. ■ The brigade worked splendidly, but was hampered for some time at a critical stage of the fire by the inadequate water eupply. .