BIG BLAZE IN PALMERSTON

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2286, 7 June 1921, Page 3

BIG BLAZE IN PALMERSTON

BRICK BLOCK IN FLAMES,

About 1 o’clock this morning, a fire of considerable proportions broke out in the heart of Palmerston North.

The men on duty at the railway station saw flames issuing from tho windows of the Repatriation Offices in Cole’s brick building in tho Square adjacent to the railway line. The Fire Brigade had a fierce and prolonged fight with the flames, and it was fully an hour before a complete mastefy was obtained, and danger was past. Messrs- Lauehlan and Coy., jewellers, whose shop is situated over the Repatriation Offices, are the heaviest losers, their premises being completely gutted. The Repatriation offices were also gutted. From Lauchlmi’s the flames crept across the passage by Mr Wycherley’s saddlery workshop, and did considerable damage there. In order to check the flames in this quarter, it was necessary, for the brigade to force an entrance through Mrs Lurie’s (florist) shop fronting the Square, and play on them from the rear of the building. The Salvation Army offices, which arc next) to Lauchlin’s, suffered more or less from flames and water. On the ground floor is Messrs Coles’ .music shop, and while the flames did not encroach, much water found its way there. Other occupiers of the building are: Mr C. Small, dentist; J. Holmes Runnicles, pianoforte tutor; Mrs Swanson, dressmaker; G. Raffles, violinist, and A. E. Price, artist.

Only one occupier of upstair rooms, Mr A. E. Price, slept on the premises. lie was awakened by the suffocating smoke, and hurriedly rushed to a window, making distressing cries for help. These were quickly responded to, and Mr Price made bis exit by means of a ladder.