FIRE AT OTAKI.

Otaki Mail, 20 December 1922, Page 2

FIRE AT OTAKI.

DRAPER'S SHOP DESTROYED. FINE WORK OP BRIGADE. Shortly after 5 o 'clock on Monday evening an alarm was sounded on the siren by Mr Ray Bills, due to an outbreak of fire at Messrs Lang and Co's. draper's shop in Hannah's buildings. The fire eugine was quickly taken to tho scene and soon the brigadesmen, under Captain Bills, was doing good work, while the hand-pumps proved very effective. The lire had a iirm hold when the alarm was given but despite this the brigade and ether wil ling workers worked most energetically and. aided by the brick wails between the shops, the fire was checked, but not before the whole of one shop was demolished. Many helpers, fearing that the outbreak would extend along the block, quickly removed goods from Messrs Truelight and Co's. (Chinese fruiterers) to a place of safety, but. unfortunately, many articles were broken or damaged in transit, while not a few were stolen. Water also poured into the shop, also into that of Mr Dunn's, and in consequence goods were damaged. By 7 o'clock the lire was subdued, and goods were returned to the shops.

Credit is duo to the members of the fire brigade and to members of the general public who worked so well, especially those O.U top of the buildings. Among the helpers were several young ladies, while welcome refreshment was supplied by Mesdnmes Cockrell and Witehell and Miss Baxter. The cause of the outbreak is a mystery, there having been no lire in Mr Lang's shop all day. Messrs Truelight and Co. have an insurance of £4OO on their tobacco, etc., and £IOSO on their other goods, both with the London, Liverpool and Globe, lor which Mr Harper is local agent. The lirm will suffer a loss owing to articles, etc., being stolen. Fortunately, a lot of Xmas goods had not arrived. Messrs Lang A; Co. had an insurance Of £7-"(ii in the S.Z. Insurance Co. (Mr C. H. G. Joplin, local agent j. but as they had invoices showing the value of their goods to be £1011.". they will be heavy losers. Mr Fred Dunn (chemist) hud only taken out a policy for £7O a few days ago with the N.Z. Insurance Co. (Mr Joplin). His goods have suffered injury by water and smoke. Mt W. Bailey, who lived at the back of Mr Dunn's premises, lefcl all his crockery and furniture, which were broken by removal. He had no insur-