CONFLAGRATION IN MAIN STREET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3777, 10 April 1928, Page 2

CONFLAGRATION IN MAIN STREET.

TWO BUSINESS PREMISES DESTROYED.

At about 3.45 a.m. on Sunday fire broke out in Fletcher’s restaurant, Main Street, and spread to Desmond’s sweets shop adjoining, both shops being totally destroyed by fire before the flames could be got under control by the brigade, which was quickly summoned by Mrs Hamer, by ’phone, Mr and Mrs Hamer having been aroused by the nightwatchman (Mr J. Wyeth).

From the outset the fire looked hopeless, and the brigade was faced with p, stupendous undertaking. A fairly strong north-westerly wind was blowing at the time, and, aided jby the fact that the structure was wholly of wood, the flames spread with great rapndity, and the heat was intense. The brigade attacked the building from the rear, a hydrant in Main Street being pulled out when an endeavour was made to concentrate a lead from that quarter. In any case the heat and smoke in Main Street prevented leads being played on the buildings from the street. An excellent pressure of water was available despite the fact that it was impossible to pump direct into the mains, owing to the electric power being cut off to eliminate danger from live wires at the scene of the fire. The supply of water was unlimited, and to this fact and to the sterling work of the brigade can be attributed the fact that the fire was confined to the scene of the outbreak, and a more serious conflagration prevented. The buildings on either side were of wooden construction, and of good .age. Fortunately the walls on both extremities of the building destroyed were of corrugated iron of heavy gauge, and.to this and the fact that the brigade concentrated their efforts on preventing the fire from spreading on both sides is due the fact that more serious damage was' not done. The work of the brigade was excellent, and the superintendent (Mr A. W. 0. Stevenson), is to be congratulated on the excellent performance of the men. *

The restaurant, where the fire apparently originated, was conducted and occupied by Mr L. Fletcher, who had living with him his mother and sister. Mrs Fletcher, who was waiting to proceed to Wellington to enter a hospital to undergo an operation, was staying at Mr Coughtrey’s house on the night of the occurrence,'and Mr Fletcher closed his business premises at 11.15 p.m. on Saturday. After, spending about an hour cleaning up, he locked up the premises and went around to Mr Coughtrey’s to see his mother. At that hour everything appeared to be secure, and no lights were left burning. He was still with his mother when the siren sounded, and he discovered his premises on fire. Personally he is a heavy loser. The fire was first discovered by the nightwatchman (Mr J. Wjyeth), who immediately aroused Mr and Mrs W. Hamer, who reside next door to. the restaurant, and appraised them of their danger. Here the benefit of the continuous telephone servict ’ was experienced, Mrs Hamer being able to give the alarm immediately per telephone. In conversation with our representative/ Mrs' Hamer said that until they were roused by Mi- Wyeth, they were quite ignorant of any danger. The fire had a big hold when they ran outside and it looked as if the whole block would go. A good deal of Mrs Hamer’s property was damaged by heat and water and several windows smashed by the intense heat. The building caught fire on several occasions but the firemen lost no opportunity in extinguishing each outbreak. The save was little short of marvellous.

The Presbyterian Church, on the opposite side of the road, caught 'fire once or twice but the outbreaks were extinguished- in their incipiency. The heat made it necessary for Constable Owen to keep a spray of Water constantly played on the 'front windows of his residence adjoining, to prevent the glass from cracking. 'Several grass, fires around the Church had. to be extinguished by means of a garden hose. Nothing was saved from either shop. Constable Owen, who was early on the scene, succeeded in forcing an entrance into the dwelling portion of the restaurant but as soon as the window was opened the fiames burst into the room and prevented him from entering the building. All Mr Fletcher’s personal effects, which were uninsured, were lost and Misses K. and D. Desmond lost several articles of personal value, including shoes and two gold watches. Mr Fletcher also lost a roll of about twenty one-pound notes, which were in a cabinet in the living quarters of his premises. Both buildings were owned by Mr C. H. Speirs, and the insurances are as follows: — Mr C. H. Speirs, £1,750 on the buildings in the Alliance Office; Mr J. Desmond, £440 on the fittings, furnishings and stock of his confectionery shop, in the Norwich Union Office; Mr A. Coughtrey, £230, on the furnishings and fittings of the restaurant, in the Royal Exchange Offline and Mrs L. Fletcher, £l5O on furniture and personal effects in the Royal Exchange Office.