FIRE AT GREY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1923, Page 2

FIRE AT GREY.

J. RING’S SHOD AND HANNAH AND CD’s. GREYMOI TH, Dec. 22. Eire ruined the shop and stock of J. Ring, photographer, ot' Mawhera Quay, di t considerable damage in •Hannah and Co’s, hoot,shop, anti threatened the block of old wooden buildings ill Mawbein (Quay, at 8.20 o’clock last niglit. Only the prompt arrival of the Crcymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade an I the brick walls between Duncan McLean's and Mr J. Ring's shops and Hannah and Company’s premises and the Albion Hotel prevented the fire from spreading through the rest of the block. Tlte fire btoke out in n small room at the back of Hannah and Company’s shop, and was caused evidently, by a spark from a fireplace there, in which a large number of cardboard boxes bad been burned about, live o’clock. The spatl; evidently dropped down through a crack in the floor next to tie fender stud igniting the wooden beams underneath was carried along by tbe draught, to the wall between the Hannah’s and Bing’s shops. The flames lhcn came up in the air space Lot ween the two walls, and hurst tlirougli into Loth .shops. The flames (spread into the tap storey of Mr Ring's shop, and also into tile upper part of Hannah and Coy's, premises though they did not do much darnge there. Linos of hose were run into hotn simps, and the lire in Hannah’s was stun extinguished, though it. was not so easy to put them out in Bing's which was absolutely swamped with wnter. Water also found its way into the back of Duncan McLean's shop, though doing yciy little damage.

The fire was first discovered by Mr George Hunter, who was in the Albion Hotel oi iho time. Mr TV. McFavlane (licensee) gave ilie alarm, which resulted ill one rf the quickest “turnouts” ever made by the Brigade. Mr Uunrer and Mr Wilson. Albion Hotel broke in the door, but wore not able to do anything owing to the smoke, which filled the place and came through the windows and coiling*, in dense, black clouds. Last night no compilation of the damage was possible nor was it possible to obtain particulars of insurances.