FIRE AT KUMARA

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1928, Page 3

FIRE AT KUMARA

FOUR BUILDINGS DESTROYED. i Yesterday afternoon a fire broke out about 2.30 o’clock in Seddon Street, opposite the Memorial Hall. The fire started in Air Case’s grocery store and residence, which was soon a blazing inferno. 'The wind being in a north-easterly direction, the conlectionery and fruit store, about -10 loot away was soon also ablaze. Many willing workers carried water and baths and vessels of all kinds' were placed at McGrath’s store, which was covered with saturated sacks in readiness in case the fire should catch that building. Another band of workers were busy removing everything possible Iroiil I’ammcnt’s store. Pnmmont’s building was also soon ablaze. The Eire Brigade then set to and demolished the big store adjoining the Dundalk Hotel. This building on ((iming down, left a 1011 gap to the Dundalk Hotel, where the Brigade concentrated their efforts, and a bucket brigade was organised at the rear and also at the trout of the hotel. I lie destruction of Paininent’s, and the demolition of the store, aided bv a favourable wind, lindollbedly saved the Dundalk Hotel. Four buildings in all were destroyed. At ( use's practically nothing was saved. The Dundalk Hotel was cleared of furniture, and also the shot) of Aliss Altirdoeh. draper, hut fortunately neither place was damaged by fire or water. There was an entire absence ol water from tlie mains during the aitonmou. so that it was a great achievement to have got the lire under control at 3.30 o’clock. It might have been tar worse seeing the condition ol the water supply, in which then- had been previously a breakdown. Ordinarily the town lias a good supply of water. Ihe • llsc ' lamilv have an insurance totalling only c,s7>o, of which Cloo is on stock, it is stated Air 0. Panunent is not insured.