FIRE AT GREY.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1926, Page 1

FIRE AT GREY.

SCI! A EE’S GARAGE GUTTED. GREY-MOUTH, April 24. A destructive fire broke out this morning in tlie residence of Mr W. Hill, and, spreading to the garage of Afessrs Schaof Brothers, did a great deal of damage. The alarm was given on the Central Fireball about 2.12 a.m. by which time the fire had gained a good hold on the rear portion of tho garage, where tho workshop was located, and tlie Fire Brigade had a most awkward task by the time tho water was available, which was not as quickly as might have been expected to the extent of a couple of minutes, Iho result being that in a short time,

portion of Hie roof fell in. and im- , peded the men on the nozzles in their | operations. Willing hands, however. ( soon got busy removing ilio large minv- t her of motor vehicles that were park- t eil within the garage. One of the first , shifted, on its own power, was TTahn’s ) fine new motor bus, and a few other j cars ere likewise, removed. Half a dozen more were pushed out; but then , it became impossible to got at a mini- t her of others that- were in tho after f port. A new Oldsmobile ear, a new < f Tiro volet, and a Chevrolet just a. few . days in use could not be salvaged, j while Messrs Davies, McEnroe and others had ears in the portion which the flames ravaged. Meantime, with , the aid of Afrs 0. Rehaef, the firm’s ] large stock of tyres was salvaged. < while the Fire Brigade, by their doterminod efforts, had now got the up- , per hand, and stayed the progress of , the fire, so that four or five vehicles ( that bad to be left in the garage were , saved from destruction. r Tt was fortunate indeed that the _ flames were thus cheeked as there was a petrol tank nearly within reach of j the fire at this stage. The fire worked , with the wind, in the direction of , residences off Herbert Street, from r some of which some furniture, was re- < moved while the furniture was also removed from the house of Mr McGlashan, adjacent to the garage. The damage done includes tho destruction of practically Hie whole of Messrs Scliaef’s workshop appliances, among which was a. lathe and other valuable items. Tlie losers will have the sympathy of the public in their ’ misfortune, but "in the circumstances, ' the result was a comparatively good save, considering how many cars were

in danger. I The origin of the fire is a complete mystery. It began in the house of Mr Hill, which was situated at the rear of the garage, almost between it and the residence of Mr Guido Sehaef, which fronts Tarapuhi Street. Its actual origin cannot he conjectured. Mrs Hill was first alarmed, and told her husband there was something roaring, hut Mr Hill thought it was only the roaring of the sea, until he finally went to ascertain, and saw flames creeping down in the corner of his children s bedroom. ITis first thought was naturally to save his family, and when he had removed them out of danger, he entered the garage, only to find the smoke barring his entry into the workroom portion. He lost no time, however, in directing the helpers in the salving of the cars that could be reached. The fire was mastered by 2,30 a,m.. and the flames were practically extinguished by IT a.m. Ho idea of the insurances was then obtainable. ' < : i 1