Disastrous Fire.

Manawatu Herald, 26 March 1904, Page 2

Disastrous Fire.

KEMPTHORNE, PROSSER AND CO’S WAREHOUSE.

ESTIMATED LOSSES £45,000 TO £50,000.

One of the most disastrous fires that have ever befallen Wellington occurred on Thursday evening when Messrs Kempthorne and Prosser’s New Zealand Drug Company's fine warehouse was totally destroyed. The alarm was given about 7.20 p.m., by a passer-by, who noticed smoke issuing from the windows on the second floor. The building, a massive four-storied structure, has » treble frontage, occupying the whole length of Willeaton street and portion of Jervois quay and Victoria street.

On all sides praise has been given the brigade for their splendid services, and there is absolutely no doubt that it was deserved. Boilers full of steaming soup and cocoa from the Trocadero and the steamers Ruapehu and Corinna were taken to the fire and refreshed the toiling members of the brigade and others fighting the fire. * ESTIMATED LOSSES AND INSURANCES. The total losses caused by the fire, on a moderate computation, will amount to £45,000 or £50,000. Besides the total destruction of the building a large and varied stock of chemicals, chiefly druggists’ sundries, photographic material, etc., was reduced to nothingness. The stock was the largest and finest of the kind in the colony. Fortunately, however, both the building and goods stored therein were fairly well protected by insurance.