TWO FIRES IN ASHBURTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2075, 30 December 1907, Page 3

TWO FIRES IN ASHBURTON.

BIG DRAPERY STORE DESTROYED.

IN CEN DI All ISA! SUSPECTED.

INADEQUATE FIRE BRIGADE. I' boss Association. ASHBURTON, Dec. 29.

Another disastrous fire occurred on Saturday night, when the drapery establishment of Robert Alcorn was completely destroyed. The building was an old wooden ono of two storeys, situated in Havelock street, and was soon a mass of flames. The alarm was given about five minutes past ten. Air. Alcorn had locked up at 9.45, and although tlie brigade was early on the scene and worked hard they could do little to check the progress of-the flames with tlieir inadequate appliances—an engine which takes fifteen minutes to getup steam and an insufficient water supply. Fortunately the night was calm with no wind blowing, otherwise a number of wooden buildings in the vicinity, including the Courthouse, might- have also been destroyed. Tho destruction of the building, which belongs to Air. John Baker, and tho stock was complete in less than an hour, so furiously did tho fire burn. The brigade did good service in saving an adjoining brick building, also owned by Air. John Baker and occupied by F. Ferriman, Hand aud estate agent. Ferriman’s loss, which was mostly by water, is small. The insurance on Alcorn’s drapery stock was £IBOO in the Standard Office. Up to ;a month ago tho amount of the insurance was £2OOO, hut a £2OO policy was allowed to lapse, owing to stock beino - reduced. Air. Alcorn estimates Ins’ loss at £IOOO over, the insurance. Tho wooden building, which was completely destroyed!, was insured in the South British for £3OO. To-day at one o’clock the fireball again rang out. This timo tho fire was located in the Borough Council’s implement shed, which Is situated immediately at the rear of the fire brigade station. Although the brigade was on the scene at once, tho shed was completely destroyed; also three drays belonging to the Council. It is understood the shed and contents were insured, but the amount was not available.

There is no clue as to the origin of the fires, hut there is an uneasy feeling in tho community, as during last month there had heen seven fires. It may also be mentioned that a scheme for a high pressure water supply was defeated at a poll taken on October 11th last.