DESTRUCTIVE FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1927, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE

VISITATION IN REVELL STREET RACING GALE THREATENS CENTRE OF TOWN. BRIGADE MAKE A BRILLIANT

SAVE. SI.ALES’ AND CLOTHING FACTORY DESTROYED. The fire hells rang out a vigorous alarm of fire tins morning about 2 o’clock. The scene of the outbreak was Simes’ tea rooms and the New Zealand Clothing Factory premises in Revel I Street. There was a howling westerly gale blowing at the time. The fire had a goyd hold on the premises of Simes and of the Factory when the alarm was given and the gale gave every assistance to the flames, which burst through the roots ot both premises and made tlie interior a hoiacust in a very few minutes. The flames spread with great rapidity, and it was at once seen that the Brigade had a difficult task to cope with the outbreak. A'olumes of smoke of great intensity came through, the gale blowing it

straight across the street aiul with the Haines shooting right across endangering the premises oi Ross Tiros, and the Freemasons Hail.

It appeared as if the outbreak started in the premises of Mr Sillies, adjoining the south-western rear corner of the New Zealand Clothing Factory building, and as the two buildings adjoined. the fire over-run both buildings. The outbreak in Simes was about the centre of the building on the north side, and it was very difficult to got to the heart of the outbreak. On the north side ol the ( loihing Factory. Mr J. J. Breeze’s two-storey shop and residence was in grave danger, the flames licking all along tlie iron walls. There appeared very little hope at one time of keeping the outbreak within the walls ol the two places first affected, and there were many anxious moments, as it was feared that the fire would break its bounds and get completely out ol control.

Luckily there was a very fine pressure of water in the mains, and the steam engine was also brought into use. The Brigadesinen were present

in lull force under Sunt. Braddon and Deputv-Supt. Mclntosh, and thensplendid efforts were ultimately rewarded. as they were enabled to confine the flames to Simes and the Clothing Factory premises, though these were completely destroyed, together with all the contents of Sillies’ building. and most of tlie fine stock of the N.Z. Clothing Factory. The latter

have a quantity of the stock of boots and shoes and some mercery, that was not destroyed by tiro, but it is all badly damaged by smoke and watei . The premises of Air J. J. Breeze wore saved iroiu fire, but the.) i\eic

coitsiderahly damaged by water, it being found necessary at one time to run a line of hose through the building upstairs to enable the lire to be reached. ALr ('Oliver's premises on the south side had the benefit of a ten foot pas-sage-way at the side, and this enabled the fire-fighters to save the premises, but not bet-re the wall had caught fire on several occasions, the woodwork being charred in places, some damage being done by water also. When the fire was at the height of its fury masses of burning timber and embers were crossing tlie street in large quantities and falling on Ross Bros, premises and the Freemason's Hall, and there was a grave danger of their catching afire but luckily any further outbreak was averted. Tlie firemen had a very difficult task, there being a choking smoke impeding their work in the narrow passages, about the buildings. The buildings

comprising Sillies’ jiromises (in tiic earlier days the old Exchange Hotel of the King’s), extended a considerable distance further hack than that ot the Clothing Factory, and tin's made a welcome break at the rear of Mr Breeze’s premises and gave considerable assistance to the Brigade in its work. The crash of glass as the lire made its way towards the front of the two buildings, together with the lury of the wind among the iron, made a great clatter which was intensified later when the lront of the haetorv came down into the street, a blazing mass. It was well after four o’clock before the danger was completely under control and tbe firemen bad a further couple ot hours’ work in putting tbe finishing touches to their work and getting their gear back to the station. " The fire alarm and the very vivid appearance of the outbreak brought a verv large crowd of onlookers to the scene of the fire, and there were general expressions of appreciation at the very fine work of tbe Brigade in mailing such a fine save under difficult conditions.

The fine water supply was a main factor. Had it not been there, the main business centre on both sides ol the street undoubtedly would have gone up in flames, as tbe steam engine could not possibly ljave coped with the outbreak.

Considerable damage was done to tbe electric light wires in the vicinity of the lire. Those in charge of the lighting of tlie town bad the fore-thought to turn on the lights, and this proved of considerable assistance as the fire died down, in lighting np the vicinity.

THE IXSI’R AXCES. The insurances available are as follows : Mr Simes—£47s on stock, furniture and piano in State Office ; £351) on building ill Guardian Cov. Xew Zealand Clothing Factory—£3oo on stock in United Coy; £IOOO (about) on building ami stock in Alliance.

The stock in the X.Z. Clothing hue tory was valued at over £5.000.

Mr ,). J. Breeze—£2oo on stock in State Office. Air Collyer—£2oo on building. £2OO oil furniture in South British Coy: £2OO on building in Xational Coy.