A DISASTROUS FIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1925, Page 4

A DISASTROUS FIRE.

business block destroyed

(By Telegraph.— Special to Guardian). NAPIER. Feb. 8. The most disastrous lire' in the history of Wairoa occurred at four o’clock this morning. The central block, comprising ten business premises on the Marine Parade, was completely destroyed, the fire wiping out one of the busiest sections of the town. The lire broke out in Osier’s tea rooms. . The borough water supply being unavailable for some months, the town has been without fire-fighting equipment. A great crowd eoukl only stand helplessly by and watch the premises go up in smoke. The insurances are not completely available at present, but the losses are estimated at many thousands over the cover. . ~ Telegraphic communication uorui ami'’south was temporarily cut off. ’l'he insurances on five of the premises total £6200. distributed among the New Zealand, South British, North British, Guardian, Queensland, British Traders and British Dominions offices The. total loss is estimated at £25,010. WAIROA, Feb. 9. The names of the premises destroyed are: T. E, Tanner (dentist), O’Malley and Bearfry (solicitors!, ,T. Bley (baker’s shop and tearooms), d. Olsen (residence). J. P. Moore (draper!, Miss McCormick /dressmaker), d. Thomson (photographer). F. Hanliam (bookseller), Frangos (cafe), R"n Fee (fruiterer), Doods (outfitter!, and \Y Smith (jeweller). Mrs Saith’s diningrooms were damaged while all the others were completely destroyed except the brick bakery behind Osier s. Verv little was saved from any of the hulidiiigs. Heavy losses wore sustained and it will cost twen tv-five to thirty thousand to renlace the buildings. The losses of stock amount to many thousands above the insurances. Tanner’s. O’Mnllev’s and Bearfry s buildings were owned bv d. A. Nilsson, and wore insured for £5(50 in the ! ictoria Office. Moore’s, Ifanliam’s and Thomsons buildings were owned by Constable and MoGoldriek, and were insured for £2750 in the South British office. | ini Fee’s, owned by ft. Simpson, was covered by £501) in the Guardian

office. . Thomson's stock was insured ini £10!) in the Queensland office. The insiiriinecs on the Grand Calc building were £7OO. TV. Smith’s £4OO. Mrs Smith's dining rooms £l7O. nU of which were owned hv Somerville and Sandhnm. TV. Smith’s stock was insured lor £IOOO. Haidiam’s stock and fittings £650 in the Queensland and Xortli British. Osier's two buildings £l.lOO. tea-room fittings and stock £I3OO in the Koval Exchange. Moore’s stock, £4500 (several offices). Dood’s stock Cl 100 (Queensland and North British), l.im Kee’s stock is stated to bo insured for £750.