BIG FIRE IN TIMARU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 29

BIG FIRE IN TIMARU.

FARMERS' CO-OPERATI\E STOKES DESTROYED. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £70,000. INSURANCE COMPANIES LOSE HEAVILY. TIMARU, February 5. The biggest fire in Timaru since half the town was burnt down in 1868 broke out about 5.30 to-day and completely gutted and destroyed the Farmers' Co-operative retail stores and offices, leaving; only the outer walls and strong rooms standing. Some of the cuter walls are cracked and insecure. The building was a two-storey one and extended from Strathallan street to Beswick street. It wae the largest business place in the town. The upper storey contained a big drapery department, tailor's and dressmaker's workrooms, and an extensive suite of offioes, and the lower floor contained grocery, hardware, saddlery, and furniture. The fire broke out in the drapery department, apparently in a corner occupied by carpete and linoleums, next the manchester goods. This department was closed as usual afc 5 p.m., but the workroom hands worked till 5.30. The fire was observed by the chief dressmaker, and the alarm wa6 given as quickly as possible, but by the time the brigade arrived the fire had such a hold that it was quite hopeless to save the building, each floor being open from end to end, and being filled with inflammable goods, especi-, ally the upper drapery department. The fire brigade got as many ac a dozen leads of hose to play upon the fire, but could effect only temporary checks here and there, and the result was the complete burning out of the interior in about three hours. Fortunately there was no wind, and the building stood somewhat apart from all others, so that there wae little difficulty in preventing the fire spreading. Very little stock was salvaged, but the two strong rooms containing the books were specially guarded by the brigade, and are telieved to be perfectly intact. The fire attracted practically the whole population, and -many people rode in from Jong distances, the great volume of smoke persisting for so long and indicating a quite unusual conflagration. A stock of ammunition in a, corner of the lower floor kept up a rattle like hail on an iron roof for half an hour, and the police cleared the street in the vicinity. The destruction was complete, and three hours after the outbreak the lower floor was a vast furnace consuming the debris. The manager of the association (Mr J. P. Newman) happens to be absent on a holiday trip, and his whereabouts are not known. The total loss cannot be accurately or even approximately .ascertained to-night, except that the drapery stock was worth £10,000 or £20,000. The insurances on the stock totalled £44,000 in the following offices:— Royal and Alliance, £8000 each; New Zealand,' £6500; Royal Exchange, £4500; Phoenix an<l Northern Assurance, £4000 each; National, £2500; Farmers' Union, £2000; Norwich Union, £2000; Standard, £1500; North British, £1000. The Queensland Company has a line of £1500 on the fixtures and plant. The building was insured with the South British and Farmers' Union companies, but the amounts have not yet been ascertained. The building was practically Jiew, having been built in 1900 and opened in 1901.

. February 6. The insurances on the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Stores, which were destroyed last night, total £56,620, distributed as follows:— On the building: £4000 in the Farmers' Insurance, Christchurch; South British, £7000. On the furniture and fittings: £1500 in the North Queensland, and £120 in the Farmers' Insurance, Christchurch. On the stock: Hoyal, "£8000; Farmers' Insurance, Christchurch, £2000; National, £2500; Norwich Union, £2000; Phoenix, £4000; Alliance, £8000; -Standard, £1500; Royal Exchange, J845D0: Northern Assurance, £4000: New Zealand Insurance, £6500; North British, £1000. The total damage is estimated at £70,000. <■ The Executive oF the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association met to-day. After the meeting 1 the chairman of directors informed a reporter that the loss would !be small, as the insurances on the building and stock would just about cover the 'damage. Arrangements have been made for carrying on the business in all its branches, the association possessing another set of buildings close to thoee destroyed. Fresh stocks were purchased last night, and business is proceeding to-day.