FIRE AT WESTPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1925, Page 3

FIRE AT WESTPORT

GRAND HOTEL BLOCK BURNT BY TELEGIUIiI—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT WESTPORT, Fell. 24. A fire is now raging in tho Grand Hotel block (at ten minutes to one a.m.) Tlio Grand Hotel and all its sample rooms, and tho garage are destroyed. The King’s Theatre is destroyed. Damage has been done to the Bank of New Zealand, and to Radford’s. Tho Land Office is partially gutted. It looks as if tho Brigade will get control before Bailie and Co’s, grocery goes.

PARTICULARS OF DAMAGE. WESTPORT, February 24. The biggest lire in tho history of Westport took place early this mornng. The Grand Hotel, King's Theatre and Gibbs Garage was razed to the ground. Radford’s office was gutted and the Club Hotel was badly scorched. The flames, fanned by a gale, rose one hundred feet and the whole town was lit up. 'l’hcs inmates of the Grand Hotel had

a very narrow escape. The Fire Brigade made a. wonderful save. If tho wind had shifted slightly the whole block would have gone. At one time all the buildings around seemed on fire. The bank of New Zealand inside fittings were charred and all the windows

broken. Bucknell’s shop’s big windows were smashed.

Bailie’s store "was damaged by wnto and heat and a storeroom and bacon factory destroyed. Owing- to slips on the Boiler road, Glibs had only one car in the Garage. This was destroyed. Showers of sparks fell all over town. Newmans Bros, removed all the cars from their garage and other premises did likewise. The fire raged for over an hour. Insurances on Grand Hotel £2,100; sample rooms and bedrooms £1350; stock £I6OO. Theatre £550. Bucknell’s partial damage £450; Radlord £620; Bailie, partial damage £ISOO. Total, about- £7OOO.