Disastrous Fire.

Manawatu Herald, 10 February 1894, Page 2

Disastrous Fire.

TOSS, HAMER'S, LOVEDAY'S AND MRS WHITE'S PREMISES BURNT. £2000 WORTH OF PROPERTY DEB--'HiOYED. INSURANCES ONLY £550. ■ The rnosfc disastrous fire that has ever been witnessed in town took place early on Friday 7 morning, in a block of buildings on the Mainstreet, owned by the Trustees of Mrs Thynne and leased ar>d occupied by Messrs Tos, Hamer and Loveday Bros., and Mrs Whyte's billiard room leased by C. E. Shortt. The fire was noticed by Mr Janks, Mr Walsh and others almost at its start the flames being seen rising through the roof right in the front of Joe Tos's building a little afcer one o'clock. The ikebell was rung by the constable and soon a large number of volunteers were present. Mr McClosky went and informed Mr Eure, the -manager for Messrs

Loveday, who came up and opened the shop when crowds poured in and made a quick clearance of the stock which was temporarily placed under a verandah on the opposite side of the road. Mr Hamer's shop was broken open and a portion of the stock removed. The billiard room was entered and the billiard table and fittings removed after much hard work, as the flames had caught the walls, and cracked the windows before this was accomplished. Joe Tos's stock was not saved not being easily removeable the fire having originated there, it had got therefore too strong a hold before there were hands available. The premises were occupied by Joe Tos as a general grocery store and was heavily stocked. The value of the stock was £1200 and there was not any insurance. Mr Hamer's stock was valued at £280 and was uninsured. Messrs Loveday's stock was of the value of £1500Jand there was only an insurance of £250. The buildings were valued at £450---and were only insured for £150. The billiard room and table were insured for £150. The wind was from the east and fortunately there was very little of it, and as the Main-street is a chain and a half wide there was a fair open space for the flames to spread without reaching opposite buildings. The sparks flew on and over the opposite premises keeping a number on the roofs watching for any outbursts, but nothing caught alight. Blankets were placed over McMillan, Rhodes & Go's, store, Whyte's hotel and the Bank of Australasia, which were kept wet by a service of buckets. The block burnt down in something like an hour and a half but there was a mass of fire burning up to midday yesterday. Walls' baker shop and McMillan, Rhodes & Cos. premises Were only saved by the utmost vigilance, the small building occupied by Mr Coe as a saddler's shop, close adjoining Mr Walls' bakery was on fire at times but was practically destroyed by the volunteer force to save the other premises. This building stood away from Tos's store about 15 feet, a roadway passing between. It appeared that the shop would not have been saved by the usual precautions, as the wall nearest the fire was alight at times, though as the main fire was working in the contrary direction, such steps as were taken, viz, to chop a portion of the side and and the whole of the front down, seemed more than was really required. As the building was not insurod and would not perhaps have been burnt, the destruction of it was effected mainly for saving the adjoining buildings, and therefore the owner should have a claim on the Insurance companies interested. Mr Ooe's stock was all saved, but as is usual, slightly damaged by the hasty removal of it. The origin of the fire seems to be without doubt from some ignition that took place in the upper part of Tos's premises. Both Joe Tos and his assistant Pat, sleep upstairs. Pat in the front portion, Tos in the back. Pat informs us that he was suddenly awakened by a fire close to him, and he ran down stairs to get some water to put it out, but, however, before he could return the whole place was in flames. It may be remarked that close to where he was sleeping there was stored a large quantity of paper for wrapping goods in, and other light articles. Tos was aroused and he secured his books and one cash box, but found, when too late, that he had left the one with the cash in ifc in the fire. Altogether the fire is a most unfortunate occurrence, causing a great blank in the business portion of the street and a heavy loss ©n all concerned. Everyone who was present worked with a will, even those of the gentler sex doing their turn with the others. That this is so goes without contradiction when such a large stock of drapery was removed in such a short space of time. We would have liked to have mentioned each worker individually but then some might be overlooked, and therefore it is safer to say that all within a fair radius of the fire and who were aroused by the tones of the firebell were there. The insurances were as under — Tos', Haulers, and Loveday's buildings in the Standard Company's office for £150, Mrs Whyte's billiard saloon and table in the same office for £150, and Messrs Loveday's stock in the Liverpool London and Globe Insurance Co. for £250. The agents, Messrs McMillan Rhodes & Co., of the Standard Insurance Company took over the whole charge of the fire and placed hands to collect the debris of fire and throw water over the ashes. They being compelled to adopt this course on behalf of their Company as the representatives of the other fire insurance offices appeared to be nervous of assuming any responsibility. It is well that some one of the agents acted in this way or a very great source of danger to the whole town would have been left unattended and insecure. It is merely a coincidence but it is curious that the fire last woek occurred on the same day of the week aud within half an hour of the same time of the day, as yesterday's. The neighbours were naturally very anxious and much disturbed

and Mr Stansell was busy with many assistants in keeping a watch over his hotel, which, had there been any change of wind, would have been in very great danger. During the early hours of the morning he ver>v_ generously kept open house, which -j was much appreciated. Mr Walls moved all his household furniture and effects but was fortunately able to replace them a few hours afterwards. In the moving they fared rather badly. Though all worked splendidly yet the plucky act of Mr A. Langley who frequently ran through the roadway between Tos's building and Coe's shop and threw water over the wall of the shop, in the intense heat of the burning building, drew forth much admiration. ■-< Tos had to leave his premises in such haste that his coat and vest had to be left behind, in the pockets of which were coins of different values. Yesterday midday search was made amid the debris and two or three pounds worth of money was collected,; unmelted.