BLACKBALL FIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1926, Page 3

BLACKBALL FIRE.

TWO SHOTS DKSTKOYKI).. 15LACK HALL, Jan. HI. One ol the must serious fires in the loun ni Blackball fop sonic time occurred in tin* early hours this nmniI lie result was the destruction ol two shops, together with their conents. and serious loss to the owners. The fire was discovered about a quarter to two o’clock, ah the rear of A\ olstenholme’s butchery. It evidently originated in the steam boiler there, used for the plant and spread to the front portion. Blackball is not equipped properly fop fire-fight-ing, there being no suitable water supply. An impromptu hrigdne, however, was organised, and with buckets (hey uiilised tank water with such effect that, a residence was saved. Adjoining the hatchery was I)mnp!cton’s bakery, to which the lire spread, and both shops were demolished. Had there been any wind, the whole block would have gone up in smoke. As it was tlie occupants of (lei raghty’s hoarding house were preparing to get their effects away to a place of safety. Dumpleton’s residence, adjoining the shop, caught (ire on the roof, hut the amateur fireman, removing tlie iron roofing, got the water to the place in their buckets, and s» extinguished the lire. On the either side, next the butchciy. the drapery shop, of .Mrs Hill was scorched, but fortunately escaped further damage. The fire-lighters were migaged for nearly a couple of hours, but. tin* tank water supply was limited and they did excellent work under the circumstances. l)unip!eton’s bad a couple of motor delivery vehicles on the premises, one of which was lost but the newer one was salvaged. Tbe loss on the butchery mils! be in the neighbourhood of £I(I'.XL while l)umplcton’s is not yet estimated. The insurances arc* moderate, so that Ibe loss will be rather serious.