MACKAY STREET FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1929, Page 6

MACKAY STREET FIRE

OUTBREAK IN COATES’S BUILDINGS.

GREYMOUTH, ,Sopt. 24. An outbreak of fire was discovered about 11 o’clock last night in Coates’s Buildings (Mackay Street), the premises affected being occupied by Mr J. Du.nibio (hairdresser), and Mr T. Cranks’haw (tailor). The fii-o originated in the hairdressing saloon, and was apparently due to a gas jet under an urn being left alight after the slirtp had been closed. The match lining on the wall at the rear of the urn 'became ignited and the fire worked its way through the ceiling to the tailoring workrooms above. When the Brigade arrived the scat of the fire was in. the upper storey. Access was made by way of the verandah. A window was smashed and a lead of hose was trained on tile flames, the latter being extinguished within a few minutes. The damage to the building itself is not very extensive, but the contents of the tailoring workroom suffered considerably. The stocks of tobacco in the shop were damaged mostly (by the water played on the premises. The exact amount of damage resulting from the outbreak was not available last night.

The building is owned by Mr T. E. Coates, and is covered by insurance, and the goods in Mr Cranksliaw’s workroom are also insured.