Fire at Palmerston.

Manawatu Herald, 14 June 1892, Page 2

Fire at Palmerston.

After an immunity extending over exactly nine months, the Square was the scene of a disastrous conflagration on Sunday morning, that will be severely felt by at least two of our niost popular business men, says the Standard. Some fifteen months ago the block of buildings including Messrs Montague's and Sorwall's business establishments were destroyed by fire, and already history has repeated itself. At about 2.40 a.m, on Sunday the nightwatchman and Constable Mclvor noticed smoke issuing from the back of Messrs Sorwall and Son's premises when they were passing the Ready Money Store, and Mr Thompson ran over to ring the fire bell, while Constable Mclvor proceeded to the scene of the fire. At this time a thunder and lighting storm was in progress and the rain was coming down in torrents. He aroused Mr Tomlinson, who was sleeping on Mr Montague's premises, and from what they could see the fire appeared to be at the back ot Mr Sorwall's main b;iilding. Mr Derrington, who lives on the other side of Mr Sorwell's, saw the fire at about the same time and confirms this opinion. No attempt was made to get anything out of Mr Montague's auction room, as the flames burst thiough the wall. The Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps were on the scene very soon, although the storm raging prevented many of the members from hearing the bell. At a quarter past three o'clock the outside walls of Mr J. R. Montague's auction mart fell in, and at twenty-five minutes to four the walls of Mr Sorwall's building collapsed. The flames then mounted to the upper storey of Mr Hugh's building, ocoupied by Messrs Colville and Derrington and Mr J. Salmon, and assisted by a stiff breeze poured through the roof at the back and along the parapet in the front This was the crucial time, and the Brigade worked like Trojans. Fireman Pirani'sjet at the back was kept right into the blazing building, while Fireman Salmon and the others in the front rendered single service. '1 he question as to whether it could be got under was in doubt for a few minutes, and orders were given to prepare for a retreat at the back so as to save the hose from destruction, as it was feared the whole block was doomed. However the wind lulled and the capital pressure of the water soon told a tale on the flames, and shortly afterwards all danger was over. In the meantime the firemen near the Bank of New Zealand had to be on their guard for the roof caught slightly, and blankets were hung out to protect the windows. However, with the exception of a couple of windows, scorched paint, and the fence and outhouses damaged, no harm was done. Mr J. R. Monatgue-'s loss is a deplorable one, and on all sides expressions of regret and sympathy were heard. His stock, which included a number of pianos and an enormous quantity of furniture, was valued at nearly £2000, while the insurance is only £400- A large consignment of goods was received on Saturday, and a new dog cart in the auction mart was destroyed. Mr Montague had also spent £100 recently in enlarging the auction room. Owing to being insured in a bogus insurance company last year, Mr Montague received a severe blow, but was just recovering from it when the calamity overtook him. Those affected by the fire were : — J. R. Montague, auctioneer, stock valued at £1700 ; insured for £400 in the Standard. T. S. Hoe, Montague's building, valued at £45U ; insured for £300 in the New Zealand Insurance Co., Sorwall and Son, cabinetmakers, stock valued at £600 ; insured for £300 in the National ; tools and private effects, £100 in the London and Lancashire ; building valued at £500, insured for £350 in the Norwich Union. Colville and Derrington, saddlers, stock valued at £500 damaged by water in removal ; insured for £200 in the Union. James Salmon, tailor, stock valued at £350 ; insured for £300 in the Commercial Union. James Hugli, building occupied by foregoing, partially destroyed ; damage covered by insurance. F. Cook, cabinetmaker ; stock valued at £200, partially damaged by water in removal, no insurance. E. Olsen, tailor, stock valued at £200, partially damaged by removal ; no insurance. H. Wickett A Co., drapers and clothiers, stock valutd at £2,500 ; partially damaged by water in removal ; insurance £1000 as follows ; Palantine Insurance Co., £300; National, £400 ; Commercial £300. Mr Hugh's building was insured for £400. and the estimated value £500. The damage is estimated at about £_00. The building was in sured in the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Company.