A BIG BLAZE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1929, Page 3

A BIG BLAZE

AT LEVIN AND CO.’S. 'By Telegraph—Press Association). 'BLENHEIM, Jan, 5. Damage between thirty-five and forty thousand sterling was incurred /k, as the result of a disastrous outbreak of fire at Levin and Co. stores, Horton Street, at two o’clock on Saturday morning. The building was a great rambling structure of corrugated iron and occupied an area of about half an acre, being the largest store of the kind in Blenheim. Part was devoted to the firm’s wholesale grocery trade and contained complete stocks of groceries, wines, spirits, tobacco, etc. The rest of the building was used as storage for grain seeds, wool, manures, cement, etc. The building was equipped with half a dozen or more seed-cleaning machines, wool .dumpers, Standard cutting machines and other val irible plant. The total value of the building and plant is roughly estimate i.l at fifteen thousand. The grocery departments stocks were probably worth another fifteen thousand, produce of various kinds about ten thousand. Twenty-five bales of wool were destroyed but fortunately twenty-seven bales had just been shipped to Wellington. The fire made a clean sweep, the whole place being reduced to ashes although there was an excellent water supply and the Brigade fought valiantly. As a result of the splendid brigade work. jEckford’s wharf and stores adjoining were saved, though Eckford’s lost about £250 worth of ships’ stores. Included in the fire was a rake ot nine railway L trucks which had been left on the siding in the building. Some were completely destroyed and others were very badly damaged. Levin’s insurances are held at the head office, Wellington, and are unavailable here.