£40,000 LOSS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1932, Page 6

£40,000 LOSS

PARTICULARS OF BIG FIRE

(By Telegraph — L’er Brest Association)

WHANGAREI, January 15.

As an outcome of the most costly .spectacular tire which Whangarei has experienced for over thirty years, a wide breadh has, been made night through an important and comparatively new trading block in the heart of the town. Four premises were completely demolished, the most notable ' being those of the Farmers’ Union Trading Coy. (general providers) and R. G. Hoskings-(extensive drapery emporium). These buildings stood on a steep slope with two .Storeys fronting the lower end of Bank Street, near Cameron St. corner and tour storeys, including basement at the back.

The other structures destroyed were those of C. R. Caplin '(tobacconist) W. Wilkinson (confectioners), Whangarei Racing Club's office (all contents saved), while the stocks of Easts and McKinnons (both fruiterers) immediately north and south respectively, were spoiled by heat, smoke and water. The contents of three other shops (in Cameron Street) Burfoot (chemist), McKinnon (Marble Bar Tea Rooms) and another drapery shop, also owned bv Hoskings, were damaged by .smoke and water.

Being the half holiday here, it is probable that smouldering was going on for several hours until the smoke was observed proceeding lrom the rear of the ■Farmers’ Coy. property just before seven o'clock. Though the volume of smoke increased enormously, due to interior burning, nearly an hour elapsed before th(( Haines burst out from all parts ol the building.

Hosking’s property and other which were demolished were speulily involved in the spectacular blaze, which was observable over a radius of many miiles.

A very light north westerly wind carried showers of sparks a long distance but no other ill consequences ensued therefrom.

Some windows in buildings on the opposite side of the street from the conflagration were broken by the heat, but water from hoses prevented further harm.

In the early stages, members of the Farmers staff intrepidly entered the premises and carried out a case of high explosives. Awesome incidents during the progress of the fire were loud detonations from bursting tins of kerosene and the crashing down of the floors and walls. The Fire .Brigade were reinforced by ex-members and used every available appliance. The performed prodigies m their risky endeavours, until they finally gained the upper hand about nine o’clock. It i s estimated that the total loss is in the vicinity of £40,300.