DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3782, 23 January 1908, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

Block of Buildings Destroyed. Immense Damage. By Telegraph—Special to Herald. Picton, This Afternoon. A fire broke out at 5.20 o’clock this morning in Blenheim. It is supposed that it started in Messrs Anstice and Co.’s premises. The conflagration was one of the most destructive ever known in Marlborough, no less than six of the leading business places in the vicinity being destroyed. At present the origin of the fire is a mystery. The buildings destroyed or very badly damaged are ; Anstice and Coy.’s drapery establishment, Reynolds Bicycle shop, Binning’s grocery store, Miller and McKay's furniture and ironmongery warehouse, Masonic Hotel, Young’s bakery. Shaw’s Medical Hall was also badly scorched. When the alarm was given the three first mentioned places were alight and despite the herculean efforts of the fire brigade and a large number of citizens, the flames .spread with great rapidity to the other buildings. A strong north east wind was blowing at the time, and the Government Buildings, Griffiths and Sons’ auction room, and the Wesleyan Church, which is fully 300 yards away, were ignited but promptly suppressed.