ANOTHER FIRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1604, 29 August 1916, Page 3

ANOTHER FIRE.

STORE ROOMS DESTROYED,

WILLING WORKERS PREVENT

EIRE SPREADING

Foxton’s unenviable reputation in reference to mysterious tires was enhanced last night through a further outbreak, Messrs "Walker and Furrie’s bulk stores, stables, etc., at the rear of their business premises being totally destroyed. As in the cases of all recent previous outbreaks, the origin of the fire is. a mystery. It apparently started, towards- the western end of the stable buildings, and soon had a good hold. The ringing of the firebell quickly brought a crowd to the scene, and a large band of willing workers were soon “hard at it” preventing the . outbreak from spreading to the adjacent buildings and removing stock, machinery, etc., to a place of safety. Messrs Walker and Furrie’s motor lorr\ x was got out, and all the benzine kerosene,etc., in the brick magazine was also removed.

The fire had too big a hold in the stable building for the fire-fighters to have any chance of saving it, and it also spread to the two-storeyed iron bulk store nearby, from which nothing at all was saved. At this stage it was seen that these buildings could not be saved, and the workers concentrated their efforts in an attempt to prevent the fire from spreading further. Sheets of iron were nailed on Afessrs Walker and Furrie’s shop and bucket brigades kept up a stream of water on the portions nearest the burning building. Whilst this was going on another band were at work on the south side, where some of Air Perreau’s outbuildings were only three or four feet away from the lire. Although these buildings caught alight on numerous occasions, the firefighters persevered, and their efforts were eventually successful. The shed at the rear of Dr Alandl’s residence was the centre of operations of other workers who, by their persistent efforts, eventually saved this building also. The whole of the plant, machinery, etc., in Alessrs Harper Bros.’ premises was removed, and here again the good work of those assisting prevented a further conflagration.

The lire occurred somewhere about half past ton, at which hour all the recent tires have broken out. Fortunately, there was no wind blowing, otherwise it would have been absolutely* impossible to prevent the tire from spreading to the adjacent buildings. Even with no wind bloiving it was only due to the splendid work of (he willing helpers that a very large conflagration was prevented.

The buildings, which were owned by Mr P. Hennessy, were insured for £lls in the Northern Office. The damage is very considerably above this amount. The contents were insured for £350, also in the Northern. Messrs Walker and Furrie-s loss is from £2OO to £3OO above this amount. The damage to Mr Perreau’s property is about £SO.