FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 335, 7 February 1902, Page 2

FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

OUTBREAK IN THE CENTRE OF THE TOWN. (Per Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, last night. A serious outbreak of fire occurred at 8 o’clock to-night, in the centre of one of the principal business blocks in Devon street. The lire threatened at one time to do a very large amount of damage. The upstairs part of the London Dental Institute and Cottier’s (photographer) appeared to he the seat of the fire, and both were gutted. The Dresden Piano Company, under Cottier’s, laid all their stock cleared out, so that the damage is only slight-, such as may he caused by the removal of the goods. The other downstairs premises were Davies, land agent, and Barr Brown, commission agent. The amount of damage to them is not yet ascertainable, but both were cleaned out. There were grave fears for the •safety of the coffee palace, a large building adjoining, which was full of hoarders. Willing hands soon removed the goods from portions of the building nearer the tire, hut fortunately there was no wind. The Fire Brigade managed to get the flames under before they got through, though the walls were slightly charred and the coping had ignited. There was a good pressure of water, despite the difficult task the brigadesmen had in dealing with the flames in the intricate passages in the upstairs portion of the burning building, all danger was over in about an hour. An enormous crowd soon collected, nearly three thousand people being present, but order was maintained, and the brigade and police were interfered with. The insurances are not ascertainable, beyond Cottier’s, as several people affected were out of tovi n having a holiday. Cottier’s had £IOO insurance, on the stock, in the New Zealand office, and estimates the loss at £3OO above that. It is understood that the dental premises were insured, but it is not yet known in what office.