G EAT FIRE IN WANGANUI

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 64, 27 November 1888, Page 2

G EAT FIRE IN WANGANUI

(i-er united press association.) Wanganui. This Day (I a.m.) A fire broke out at 12.45 iv McGregor's boot shop, next the Chronicle office. The alarm was given by oue of the staff, and the engines were soon on the spot, but before many minutes elapsed the whole block from the Chronicle office Ridgway street to Druminond & Co.'s, i;ext the Bank of N.S.W. were in ablaze. The Bank, up to time of wiring, was saved, but is not yet out of danger. A \ high wind is blowing, which spread the 1 £h*e to the opposite side of the Avenue, but was extinguished before much damage was done. Tlie cause of fire is not known, but the damage is mostly coy- [ ered by insurance. 10.25 a.m. — The fire destroyed the block of buildings containing the Chron- ; icle office, Wanganui Meat Company's shop, Borreson (phrenologist's office), McGregor's (boot and shoe), and Druminond (ironmonger). The fire originated, it is supposed, in McGregor's upstairs, which was unoccupied, though used by ihem during the day The fire broke out very suddenly, and the men on the Chronicle staff bad iust time to get down stairs, but were unable to get back for their coats. In a yery short time the whole buildings were in a mass of flames. The Fire Brigade worked splendidly, and by dint of great exertions, and in the face of the gale of wind, saved the Bank of N.S W. There was no salvage got out, aud at one time the blocks on both sides of the street were in danger, Insurances—Chronicle : L 2500 in Colonial, L 2500 in National, and L 270 in North German, on the plant and stock. McGregor . Ll5O m Phcenix ; L 3500 is the sum on the stock. Drummond and Co. : London, Liverpool, and Globe L6OO, j South British L6OO, on stock Building insurances are— New Zealand LBSO, Victorian L 250, Imperial L 250. McGregor estimates hia loss over insurances at 1 L 250, Drummond at L4OO. Chronicle's loss is not known yet. The Herald Company have offered assistance to the latter in the present difficulty.