A DISASTROUS FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1926, Page 2

A DISASTROUS FIRE

BATY’S GARAGE DESTROYED

TOGETHER WITH A DOZEN CARS

Tito fireboll rang out an alarm of fire on Sunday morning at four o’clock. Tho scene of the outbreak was at Baty’s Garage in Weld Street at the rear of Air J. L. Turner’s fruit shop. The flames had a/good hold when the alarm was given, the seat of the tire being apparently in the office attached to the front of the garage. The Eire Brigade were very promptly on the scene and two lines of hose were run out promptly. Unfortunately at this juncture there was a very small pressure of water and the jets hardly reach, ed the flames which were spreading very rapidly. It was found necessary to send a man by motor car to Hampden Street to turn cm the full pressure of water. This meant the loss ot many valuable minutes, and the tire was burning very fiercely, enveloping the whole building. When the full pressure of water was available a few minutes later the fire was soon got under control and the danger of it spreading was very promptly averted. Aleantime the very inflammable nature of the garage, with its oils and motor cars and accessories made a very dense smoke in which it was almost impossible to penetrate. An endeavour was made to retrieve some of the motor cars in the garage, but the County Council’s motor lorry was in tho way and it was some time before enough men were available to pull it out, it being then on fire, and then the other cars were not able to be reached owing to the dense fumes and fire. The corrugated iron of the walls and roof .ot the garage was red hot at times, inside being an inferno, which soon demolished till' contents, and part of the upper floor collapsed. AYhen the mastery was ultimately obtained it was seen that the building and contents were practically destroyed, with .the exception of the benzine strong room, a concrete section, situated in the eastern end and containing about li tons of benzine, which liad conic through without injury. When the fire was at its height the flames made their way along the ridging of tho structure leading the front shops occupied by Air .1. L. Turner (fruiterer) and Afrs T. Robinson (faliev goods), and though checked, the ceiling of Airs Robinson’s caught fire for a moment or two while the thick overpowering smoke from the main tiro filled the two shops and damaged tile contents and fixtures to a very large extent. Tho adjoining premises of Mr If. Haines (fruitsliop and boardinghouse) were temporarily in serious danger till the Brigade got the main fire under control.

In a couple of hours after the alarm the Brigade had finished their work, but the structure of Baty’s garage was a complete wreck. The losses by the fire are ol a substantial nature, easily the heaviest of recent tires in the town, owing to there being nearly a dozen motor cars and two lorries in tlie building, all but two being practically destroyed. Tho building which was the scene of the, tiro was owned by Afr AVillmni Robinson of Sewell Street. It comprised the two front shops (occupied by Air J. L. Turner and Airs T. Robinson) and tho rear section only erected about IV years ago, and comprising a garage, with a large upstairs workshop. These buildings were valued at £l3oo, and there is an insurance on the, front portion of £250 in the United Office and of .£SOO on the garage portion in the Standard Office. Ten motor cars and 1 lorry were destroyed completely, olio lorry was damaged and one car was uninjured, particulars being as follows; — J. 1,. Turner, new Stndehaker valued at £425. Insured for £4OO in tho Phoenix Office; and a Dodge delivery car valued at £l5O, no insurance. Dr Bcgg of AVellington, who only arrived the previous evening from visiting AVailro. a Dodge ear valued at £395, together with a quantity of valuable wearing apparel, of bis wife and himself, all destroyed. Can insured for £3OO in the, New Zealand Aledical Association. AVestland County Council, motor lorry. partly damaged, with an £BOO compensation policy cover. Dr C. Aland], one tliree-soater l’hoen-

ix car. No insurance. E. Hownian, Ford racing car (no particulars available.) 71 r V. Bergamini. a Studebaker seven-sealer car. valued at. £2OO, no insurance-. Rev. Dr. Kennedy, three-sea ter Sunbeam ear, valued at £250; insured for .£2OO. ’ . , , , Mr D. Diedrieh. a Bnick car, valued at £250. No insurance. Mr Eggleson (representative of Messrs Niven and Co., Christchurch), a Chevrolet three-senter ear, together with all his business samples and personal luggage. He only arrived on Saturday evening and left his car in the garage for the night. Car valued at £3OO and understood to he insured. Mr F. Coltver, Rovell Street, a. new Rugby five-seatcr car of £250. Insured for £2OO. This car was only purchased during the week, was insured a couple ol days ago. and had not been used. Mr W. Robinson’s three-seater was the only car that, escaped undamaged being in the southern end ot the building. • ' Mr J. L. Turner estimates the value of his stock and fittings at £IOOO, and has an insuauce of £SOO in the Atlas Company. Ihe stock is very considerably damaged by smoke which enveloped the whole place. A considerable portion of the stock was removed aftei being damaged by smoke when there appeared a chance of the fire spreading. Airs T. Robinson’s stock of dranery and fancy goods was insured for £l5O, and was considerably damage by smoke and water.

The cause of the outbreak is a mveterv. Air Harrington (manager for ‘Air Bsity> was in the garage about 9 p.in. nn Saturday, and when lie lott everything appeared in order. Mr Daly suffered practically a complete loss.' The whole of the stock and fittings have gone, with the exception of the stock of benzine. Even the (Isioks, ami office appliances have been destroyed. There was a full garage repairing plant. One lord cai ticlonging to the firm was in the workshop ami this was destroyed. The amount lost, and insurances are not available, until Air Baty arrives from Grey mouth. Mr Harrington (manager) lost a valuable reference library and kiols.