WELLINGTON FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1931, Page 3

WELLINGTON FIRE

TOP STOREY DESTROYED. A wg*? '.s> V “ "=’■* T T - ’*’ fßy Telegraph — Pet, Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 1.0. Fire on Saturday night destroyed’ the top storey of the N.Z. Loan' and Mercantile Agency Coy’s three storey building at the corner of Featherston and Whitmore 'Street. It was a big blaze. Seven fire engines took part in a two and a-half hour battle to subdue the flames, whicli came through 'the' windows an<| the roof in great volumes. Many leads' of hose were run out at the rear, the front and the two sides of the building, and these eventually checked the spread of the fire. The fire was watched by about 5000 people, .many of whom, worm,.returning from the theatres or the dances. The firms on the top. floor, whose premises were burned out, were:—H. W. Moss, Ltd., merchants. Union Assurance Society, Ltd, Australian Provincial Assurance Association, Ltd. Browne Bros, and G.eddes. In the corner which was saved, and where the contents were only damaged, by smoko and water, were a portion of the Loan and Mercantile Agency toy’s offices, and those of Dunloy and Macinlop, rubber importers. Mr Moss stated to-day that he did not know the exact value of his stock, hut lie thought that there was between £7OOO and £9OOO worth, '. insured in the South British Office. The building is insured for about £28,000 in the Union Office Air L. Moss, son of Mr Moss, who is in England, had furniture stored in thu building, and lost all of it. Considerable damage wasi done to the-contents' .of the lower floors, occupied by the Loan Mercantile Ooy., the Australian Provincial Assurftfite Ltd’., and a number of smaller- ffilils; . [the Loan and Mercantile riioruha.udise. is: in another. ..building some' distance away. $ Y "