A FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1933, Page 5

A FIRE

pUTBREAK IN WHARF ST REEf.

The fii , ebell.rapglqtit : this morning at '4-3#: o J clop|f, the scene of the offtbreak 'being, tlie inside office in. the'premises of Messrs, "Paterson and Michel and Co. Ltd. Jn’ Wharf Street. The fir© was first 'discovered by Nightwatchman Williams and Constable M’cClonnan, who smelling smoke made aa investigation and found the office m flames. The alarni was at,once -given, and the Brigade jpere quickly on the spot, and were enabled '.to get the firei under control ‘in a very short time, ■though it was difiicfflt to 'get at the seat of ;the fire vat first , owing Ld 'the dense smoke.’ .The inside-: offiefe- • was partly gutted* a hole being burnt in the floor near the fireplace; l The - office' furniture and other contents of this room, including a new ‘typewriter, was destroyed, and these were not covered by insurance. Tho stock in the front office was damaged by smoke and* water to a small extent. Thev damage to the building will not exceed but there wilt he the loss of the office furniture. The buildings and slock were insured ini the State Office-(•'covering'; /the /wide block used by the firm.

The prompt alarm given and the good work of the Fire, Brigade saved what easily could haVe been a very.serious outbreak. ’(v'Aa'*'V