THE GREAT AUCKLAND FIRE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 January 1901, Page 3

THE GREAT AUCKLAND FIRE.

Estimated Damage £90,000.

(per PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Arc itr.and, This Day, The lire yesterday was among the most disastrous that ever visited the city. The total loss cannot ho far short of £00,003, insurances covering all, but £21,500, of which some £20.000 foil upon Nathan and Company. When the alarm rang the Bond and Bell’s building was hopelessly ablaze, and it spread rapidly for three hours, and blazed furiously, gaining strength every minute. At a quarter past six when it was at its height, Nathan second place got ablaze, and then Owens. The conflagration presented a most majestic sight the whole stretch ol Nathan and Owens’ premises being one mass of (lames. The roofs had given in, and the flames were destroying the contents of the stores at an amazing rate.

Lawric and Company’s premises adjoining Owens had a narrow escape, and other buildings in the vicinity, though damaged, to some extent, wore saved from utter destruction. By a little after seven (he (ire had done its worst. Nathans re-insurances include £250 in the Commercial Union, £2,500 in .South British, £750 in Phrenix. The American Tobacco Coy., lost in Nathan’s bond, cigarettes and tobacco to the extent of £6OOO which was fully covered in the Norwich office. Wheeler was insured in tho N. Z. but expects to he a heavy loser.

Bond and Bell wore insured for £I4OO in the Phoenix. Their building was owned by Yates and insured for £4OOO. Marks and Haddock’s subleased a portion of the Bond. The free store was insured in the Victoria for £SOO, The loss is estimated at £3OO additional. Mack ay and Co’s large stock was a total loss;’. It was insured for £OOO in (he Northern Assurance, and £looin the National. Heather Bros, was insured for £9OO in the Northeau Assurance, which covers the loss. Their buildings, which was owned by Brown and Barrett, was damaged to the extent of 0350, and is insured for £llOO. In the N Z office Owen is covered by £1,750, and the building for £IOOO. The stock was a total loss. Tucker was insured for £1,254 in the N, Z. Office, Laurie and Co, £2OOO on building and £2OOO on stock in the N.Z. office. Both stock and building are damaged. Loan and Mercantile building was uninjured and contents damaged to the extent of £250 and was insured in the Alliance.