FIRE IN BUSINESS PREMISES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2806, 4 November 1924, Page 2

FIRE IN BUSINESS PREMISES.

RIDER’S BOOT SHOP IN FLAMES. SERIOUS LOSS OF STOCK. NARROW ESCAPE OF WHYTE’S HOTEL. The fire hell rang out an alarm shortly after 4 o’clock on Sunday morning, the cause being an outbreak in Air Rider’s hoot shop in a portion of the “Mbitton Buildings.” When the brigade arrived the fire lmd a strong hold of .the interior of the shop, rht* flames catching the ceiling. The interior was filled with dense smoke from the burning stock. A lead of hose was soon brought to hear on the conflagration which was quickly got under hut not before considerable damage had been done to the stoek, fittings and interior. The origin of (he fire was above the floor level in the centre of the fii tings. AIY Rider informs us that the stock was insured for £2,700 and £2OO on the fittings in the Atlas Office. He assesses the value of the stock at £8.500. A lareg quantity of stock was burnt and considerable damage done to the balance hv water and chemicals. The floor of the building did not suffer much damage hut the walls and ceiling are badly charred. The building is owned by Atr F. S. Easton, and we understand, is not covered by insurance. Afr Rider said everything was apparently safe when he left the shop on Saturday evening at about 8 o’clock and he cannot account for the outbreak. The nighfwalclnnan and several persons passed the building about half an hour before tho outbreak, but did not notice any tire or smoke coming from the shop. Mr Kirkland, licensee of Whyte's Hotel, which is in the same block, was awakened by the smoke which was forcing its way from below to the bedrooms above and heard the crackling of lire and aroused the inmates. By this time the rooms and corridors of the hotel were filled with a dense volume of smoke and the floor of AH Kirkland’s bedroom was hot. He quickly ascertained the location of the outbreak and summoned the brigade, whose timely arrival averted what threatened to be a much more disastrous loss. As it was, a fair amount of damage was done to the hotel premises and bedrooms. The effect of the smoke is noticeable in stained walls and discoloured bedding. Mr Kirkland’s insurance on the hotel effects is £1,700 in the Queensland office. It is generally admitted that hut for the good services of the brigade and a plentiful water supply, the whole splendid block of buildings would have suffered disaster.