Destructive Fire at Boatman's.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 31, 7 January 1885, Page 2

Destructive Fire at Boatman's.

NINE HOUSES DESTROYED.

,. t ■ (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Beefton, 'Jan. 5. A fire broke out at 6 this eyening at Walker's Hotel, Boatman's, and up to the present time nine houses are reported to be destroyed, and the fire is still raging. The places burnt include Walker's Hotel, Wilson's Hotel, Gallagher's store, Ferris' store, Cassler's bootmaker's shop, Duffy's butcher shop, and other places. The fire is said to. be now threatening Archer's Hotel. There is no water supply or fire brigade at Boat- ' man's. Mrs Burkes Hotel is amongst those destroyed. The insurances are not large, and the Standard will probably i be the greatest loser. '] . . Later. J A firs started about, six o'clock m the upper storey of Walker's hotel, Boat? man's. The cause is unknown. There was a strong wind blowing up the Gorge and. the heat became so intense that no one could get^ear the fire, the place burning very rapidly. A large- quantity of stock was thrown m. the street from Gallagher's store, but took fire: a.fter removal, and is badly damaged by'w-ater. . It consisted cbje'fly of drapery and othe,r inflammable goods, But fora change ot wind, nothing could have saved Ferris' and Archer's places, as there! was no water nor brigade, and the utmost dig-, organisation prevailed. The fire completely ruins nearly all the sufferers, the insurances (where effected) being a mere • bagatelle. Several of the firms were at work m the mines when the fire took place, and the number of people m the township was wholly inadequate to cope 4 ? with the outbreak. It is not known whether any lives have been lost, but one person is said to be missing, and the ruins are now being searched. The fire has demolished the chief business block of the place. Property to the value 'of nearly £7000 was destroyed. The full insurances are not known.