BIG CONFLAGRATION AT OHAKUNE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1750, 8 November 1917, Page 3

BIG CONFLAGRATION AT OHAKUNE.

BUSINESS QUARTER DESTROYED. Taihape, Nov, 7. A disastrous fire occurred at Ohakune, originating in the Defence Office, at twelve-thirty this morning. Twenty shops and their contents in the business centre of the town were completely destroyed. In the absence of water and fire-fight-ing facilities, the fire brigade and the public were helpless in stemming the fiames, A stiff breeze carried the fire till there was nothing further to burn in its course, and nothing remains but a mass of charred and smouldering wreckage. The insurances are not known, but the damage will run into five figures. The origin of the fire is unknown. The buildings destroyed are those of Lytile's (painter’s shop and dwelling); Gould, solicitor; Goodman, confectioner’s shop and dwelling; Anderson, second-hand dealer, shop and dwelling; Forsyth, bookseller’s shop and dwelling; three unoccupied shops; Mrs Hook, confectioner’s shop and dwelling; Butler, drapery and storeroom; Ah Duckking, grocer’s shop and dwelling; Coffey, billiard room and dwelling, hairdressing saloon, and tobacconist’s shop; Turner’s shop, two smithy shops; Lee Chong, fruiterer; Kelly’s shop; defence office and gymnasium; Allen and Co., butchers; one empty shop; Cunninghame, chemist. Butler’s drapery was the best shop in town. The fire set the bush alight, which is still burning. ’