FIRE IN MAIN STREET.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4609, 3 October 1923, Page 2

FIRE IN MAIN STREET.

BILLIARD SALOON DESTROYED. INTERIOR A CHARRED MASS. Shortly after one o’clock on Tuesday morning, while coming along Junction Road, Mr Denton discovered that Mr W. Bain’s billiard room was on fire. He was not long in giving the alarm, and the brigade promptly turned put. From the appearance of the partially destroyed building it is quite evident that the fire had been burning inside the building for some considerable time before it was discovered. The whole of the ceiling and lining, as well as the contents of the billiard room, which included two full-sized bilJia,l'd tables, seats, and other necessary furniture, has been completely destroyed. The hairdressing saloon and refreshment room in the front of the building are blackened with smoke and the stocks of both rooms rendered useless owing to the smoke and water. The outside walls are of corrugated iron, and this held the fire from bursting through. Judging by the fact that some of the brass fittings on the billiard tables are melted through, it would seem that the heat was very intense. After arriving at the scene of the conflagration the brigade soon had the fire under conJtyril, but everything wtihin the building is hopelessly destroyed, the walls only remaining. just how the fire originated Mr Bain is at a loss to know. Notwithstanding that Mr Bain had an insurance of £6OO on the building and contents he is a very heavy loser, as the sum mentioned would not nearly cover the cost of the billiard tables and other furnishings, The building is so much damaged that it will have to be rebuilt.