Disastrous Fire at Hastings.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 97, 21 October 1895, Page 2

Disastrous Fire at Hastings.

0 (Pee Press Association.) Napies, Tbis I>ay. A serious fire broke at Hastings shortly before eight last night, resulting in the destruction of a good portion of the business part of the town. The fire started in a small shop occupied by P. Horn, bootmaker, forming a portion of Bethel's saddler's premises. The flames had a strong hold before the Brigade got properly to work, and in the course of two hours the most centrally situated business places were burnt to the ground. From Horn's and Bethel's the fire spread to Blythe and Co.'s drapery establishment, S. Ridgway's clothier's shop, Eccle's chemist, Lye's tailor, all of which were quickly destroyed. The Brigade checked the flame at Forman's the bfltphers, next to^Gorman's Carlton Hotel, The corrugated iron facings of thp partition between £,ye's shppbelping to prevent its spread- A strong wind was blowing and if is marvellous the whole town was not destroyed, The water supply was altogether inadequate. Later. Insurances on Hastings fire —Ridgway, clothier, stock £300, Manchester ; building £100, Liverpool and Globe ; Blythe and Co., drapers, building and fittings, £450 in National ; stock, £120 in North German; Apperley's building, £1000 in North German ; Eccle's stock, £200 in North German ; Bethel, saddler, building, £230 in New Zealand ; stock, £250 in Alliance ; Home, bootmaker, nil.