A SERIOUS FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1932, Page 5

A SERIOUS FIRE

AT BOOKSELLER’S SHOP

■SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE.

(By Telegraph —Per Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, April 30

Damage estimated at £12,000 was done in the premises of L. M. Isitt, iLtd., booksellers, Cashel Street, by a lire which broke out at 7.15 this morning. Most of the stock and fittings were ruined and the building was practicLly gutted, the nperior being a mass of debris after fire, smoke and water had done their work.

'Minor damage was done to .the London Dental Saloon, occupied by Mr G. C. Z. Harris, on the upper storey. The fire broke out 'in the rear portion of the two-storeyed brick building and rapidly extended ho all quarters of the shop, and when the Central Fire Brigade arrived the flames had a good hold. The heat was intense, so much so -that even windows in the front of the building some considerable distance away from the blaze were cracked. Insurances on stock amounted to £10,500, and tho building was insured for £4,500. The dental rooms were covered by a policy in the New Zealand Insurance Office.

JsLt’s suffered by fire previously a few years ago. Later in the morning the fire in the. cellar spread to a quantity of paper, which continued 'to smoulder for a considerable time. Water was poured into tho cdllar and was later pumped cut after the contents had been soaked. l p.m., the fire in the cellar was .still smouldering and firemen remained on duty to watch developments.