TWO FIRES.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1919, Page 4

TWO FIRES.

INCENDIARISTS AT WORK

ONE BUILDING DESTROYED,

llio ominous tones of die tire bell rang out again about 3.45 o’clock on Sunday morning. A bright glare in the North showed the vicinity to be in North Itevell Street. The Five Brigade were soon about and on the way to the scene, but when at the Weld Street junction of Kevell Street it was found there was an incipient blaze in the rear of the “Don” shop better known as Kinvan’s former fruitshop. This outbreak had been discovered by Constable Flewellyu just before the Jirebell rang out the alarm, and he was on the way to the station to give notice, when the Dell rang out, but this was for the North Itevell Street fire. A line of hose was run out at Weld street corner, and the flames in the “Don” shop were soon out, the balance of the Brigade’s gear being taken to the scene of the other outbreak, which was at the large residence, for | many years the home of the late Hon. J. Holmes. This fire had a big hold and it was seen that there was not much hope of saving the premises. The residence occupied by Mr Duke, adjoining was in danger, but the work of'the Brigade proved efficient and the] occupants did not even remove their furniture, it being soon seen that the full water supply would enable any danger to be averted. The flames had too groat a hold where it broke out to be denied and the whole building was destroyed, only portion of the front oi the structure remaining when the flames were finally extinguished. Luckily the other outbreak at the “Don,” was discovered in its early stage, and the five was extinguished before any material damage was done. The. scene here was at the sea end of

the building, under a window, tbe

flames burning merrily when discovered, but they had not had sufficient time to get a good hold. The cause of the two outbreaks is apparently due to the wilful acts of some persons, and following on the outbreak in Beach Street the previous night, shows conclusively that a gang of fire raisers are in our midst, the position being a most menacing one and one that requires the strongest of action to prevent the menace assuming even larger proportions.

A feature of the morning was the excellence of the supply of water. There was a fine pressure and a great flood of Water’ was poured in, but the old dry building burnt with great rapidity, and quickly demolished the building. The

Fire Brigade under Supt. Braddon, an

Deputy Supt. Davidson, were in full force, and everything possible was smartly done to mitigate tho extent of the damage.

The building destroyed belonged to the estate of the late Mrs Holmes, and was not insured. About 11 a.m. yesterday some embers on tire northern wall of the North Novell street structure re kindled, and it was found necessary to lay a line of hose on to get the outbreak under, which was done by a couple of firemen, without giving any alarm.