SERIOUS FIRES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1926, Page 4

SERIOUS FIRES

ONE AT EXHIBITION

[by telegraph-—per PRBSS association

DUNEDIN, -March 21

The fusing of electric wires attached to an illuminated 'sign in the Now Zealand Secondary Industries Pavilion of the Exhibition caused a fire at 8.40 o’clock on Saturday evening that- destroyed a large display stand, and damaged an adjoining stall, and for a time threatened the big building. .The stand was ilie property of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, and was devoted to the displaying of men's and hoys' suitings on several wax figures;. It was one of the largest and most prominent exhibits in the Secondary Industries Pavilion, situated near the centre and was surrounding by large plate glass windows with an illuminated map of New Zealand operated by electricity in the centre. The interior of the stand was completely destroyed, and damage was done to an adjoining writing room and lounge, the property of the “ Otago Daily Times ”* Company, hut the brigade was early on_tho scene, and a good save was effected. Slight water damage was done nearby, and many of the open stalls had to be. protected from the thick smoke that filled the pavilion. Afatty hundreds of people wore in the pavilion, the hour being the busiest of the evening. The value of the stand was approximately ,£6OO, and the damage is estimated at threequarters of that amount. The insurance is held by the Alliance Company, and totals hetwe.on £IOO and .£SOO. The Secondary Industries Pavilion contains many highly infla.mmahle sections, and grave danger was averted by the presence of a motor engine in the exhibition, and the speed at which it was able to roach the scene.

Owing to the light construction oT the stand, the firemen, worked under unusual difficulties, one falling through the ceiling of the writing room while dealing with the fire from tho top. There also was danger of tlio plate glass windows breaking and allowing the spread of the flames, hut forttuir'Jtely, these lucid, and Confined tho lire to the interior.

NEW BRIGHTON GARAGE

CHRISTCHURCH, AT arch 21

Early this morning two largo buses belonging to the Inter-City Bus Coy together with a garage, situated at the corner of Oollingwood and Union Streets. Xew Brighton were, totally destroyed by lire. The brigade was called to the. lire, hut could -do nothing to save garage or buses, and all efforts were directed to saving tho adjoining buildings. All that is left of the two buses is a tangled mass of iron. ONE AT JSITT’S. CHRISTCHURCH, -March ”1. A destructive fire occurred early yesterday afternoon in the retail hook shop of Isitt’s Ltd., in Cashel Street. Tho damage is estimated up to £10,001). The origin of the fire is a mystery, hut apparently it started near the lift well, and the firemen had a strenuous time, owing to tlio fact that the fire was burning in the top and bottom stories simultaneously. , The stock" was insured for £14,000, and the building for £1,300. LATER. Almost, ten thousand pounds worth of damage was done by tho tire on Saturday afternoon in L. Al. Isitt’s Ltd. bookshop, in Cashel Street. About, 3 p.m. smoke was seen issuing from the roof, and the alarm was given. Although the shop had been closed at I p.m.. when everything appealed to he safe, flic outbreak was already serious when the brigade arrived. The hack portion of Lhe premises. whore the lir.-t was most serious

was destroyed, and a great quantity of hooks and stationery was ruined by fire am! water. IT RE AT WAIKOA. WAIROA, March 21. Another disastrous blaze occurred here tit 1.45 o’clock yesterday morning, when a block of five shops at the west end of the .Marine Parade close to the. scene of the last fire, were totally destroyed making about forty buildings burnt here in the Inst throe yea rs. I The fire was discovered by a passerby, who gave the alarm. In a very short time, the whole of the buildings "ere ablaze, ami nothing could he done to save them. The efforts of a bucket brigade were concentrated on saving a small residence next- door, tind a good save was effected. Fortunately a light northerly breeze was blowing, or otherwise many more buildings must have gone. The origin of the lire is unknown. Ihe premises destroyed were occupied by S. Small (bookseller), owned b.v /the Howes ''Estate (Napier); A. D. Hall and Co (tailors and outfitters); .Miss Williams (art depot); (Rover (milliner) ; and L. Storey (auction mart). The last four buildings "ere owned by It. Martin (Hastings). This is the second occasion that L. Storey has been burnt out within six weeks. Xo fire brigade has yet been formed here, nor is any fire fighting equipment available in the borough. The speclntoi-s again lia<l to stand help-| iessly looking on, while a million gallons of water flowed to waste in the

river a few chains away. An hour alter the alarm was given, two leads of hose wore brought from the freezing works, and the borough water supply which is nearing completion was made available. There was a splendid pressure, hut it was too late to save the buildings. It prevented the fire from spreading. The Josses are considerably above the insurance, which is not available to-dnv.

A big public meeting is being called for Tuesday night to consider the lormation of a Eire Brigade.