GREYMOUTH FIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1925, Page 2

GREYMOUTH FIRE.

IN TAINUI STREET. AIR TATE’S HOOT SHOP. GREYMOI’TII, November IT. About one o’clock this morning there was a pronounced smell ol fire in ...ackav Street, bill it was not till more than half an hour later that it was discovered ibe fire was located at the rear of the bootshop of Mr B. Tate, ill Tainui Street. When an alarm reached the Fire Station, shortly before 1.10 o’clock, it was not possible to see the reflection of the fire, but its presence had been noticed by .Miss King, housemaid at the Dominion Hotel whence the alarm was phoned. Soon, however, lhe flames showed up vividly, as the Eire Briagde arrived on the scene, and it was feared the site of the outbreak would render it most destructive. As soon as two hoses were got going, however, an impression was made on the fire, which had begun in the rear corner of Tate’s shop, near the Rank of Now Zealand. The fire spread mostly to the roof, but it was eventually found necessary to sbilt some of the stock in the front portion of the building. in order to save it from damage by water, as the flames leaped along the roof to the front, and across to the roof ot the Bristol Piano Coy’s shop. The flames were got under inside a quarter of an hour, but not without a liberal use of water, with the result that the musical instruments and other stock in the Bristol building must have been damaged to some extent.

About 2.10 a. in, Senior-Sergeant Afef’artliv discovered that the lire had gained ail entry to the roof of Tymons and Co’s premises at the rear, and the chemical engine was brought into play to extinguish it. The fire apparently must have started in some rubbish in the corner but its origin was uncertain. It was. however, fortunate that the fire was confined to the. limits it reached, as there was a strong wind, and several other places, such as Hill’s fruit shop, Arthur’s restaurant and Hie Dominion Hotel were in dangerous proximity, but the Brigade gave the flames no scope as soon as they got the water, which for the emergency, seemed In have sufficient pressure for two hoses. The back rooms of both Tate’s and the Bristol, but especially the former’s shop, were considerably damaged, but not the front ones: while tile roofs of both will probably require renewal. Tate estimates bis losses are heavy and beyond the insurances of €IOO on the stock, €<loo on the grindery, and €IOO on the cash register.

Tymons is the corner building, the insurance on which is £1.500.

The fire spread to Tymons’ showroom and millinery department, damage to new stock being €’soo, which is carried bv insurance.

The Bristol C'ompanv’s damage is slight.