FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1923, Page 2

FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH

IN MASON STHUTHERS’ WAREHOUSE. [IIY TELEGRAPH —PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, November £B. Olio of the most serious fires experienced in Christchurch for some time broke nut in the top storey of .Mason and Strutbors’ ironmongery warehouse to-night. The outbreak was first ■uncovered about 6.45 when volumes of smoke were observed to lie pouring out of the roof and northern w indo ws of the- lop storey of the warehouse molding, which faces Lichfield Stieet. .ml extends through to a. right-of-way munine parallel w ith Tunni .Street . Ibe ahum was given, and the City, Sydenham and Christchurch Railway Fire Brigades were quickly on the spot. The fire wits at first confined to the top storey of tlk* Mason-Struthers building in which were stored a large quantity of hardware, etc., but it eventually went to the soutli-eastern eui*:i«*r of the Lichfield Chambers, a coinparati vly new building, facing Lichfield 8t , and owned by L. D. Rudd.

By 8.20 p.tn. the outbreak was under control on the south side of the Alason-Struthens building, hut the northern side of tlie top storey was ' • ill blazing fiercely.. B.V 8.10 p.ni.. the five in the bad: putt of the Lichfield Chambers lad been controlled. An hour later to blaze was visible Irom the outside ci Mason-Strueliors building. It is believed however, that the top portion of Mason-Struthers’ building, which was completely gutted, will smoulder until mm uing. On the floors below the top •toroy in M iisou Strothers, practically all the stock was badly damaged by smoke am! water, and ihe same- applied to ill. portion of Lichfield Chambers alio e-1 by the fire. As far as can he ascertained to-nign:, the total insurance on the stock < I M a son Strothers is £59,000. and on ike building £39,000 fhotli with the London ami Lancashire Office). The Lichfield Chambers, of which only the south west portion was affected. were insured in the Standard Office for £IO,OOO. Several firms Lad offices, showrooms, etc,, in ibis oiiildj hi,, Those whose stocks were damaged by smoke and water wcie: TJnlterworth aiid Co’s millinery workrooms; Paterson mid Fade, furriers (Insurance 515(F) in Standard Office ad £2OO in 1.0. AT; p A. Tapper, Toy Exporter (insurance £2OOO in Royal Exchange Office). Triggs and Denton, glove-makers and \. A. Weston, importers, whose olTros were at the Tear of Lichtioid Chambers premises, were only slightly affected.