SPECTACULAR FIRE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 223, 9 February 1928, Page 5

SPECTACULAR FIRE.

MESSRS McDERMOTT BROS’. PREMISES. Losses Total £BOOO.

A spectacular fire, which caused very heavy loss to the owners, occurred in Putaruru in the early hours of Thursday morning last, when the well-known drapery establishment of Messrs. McDermott Bros, was completely gutted. The outbreak was first noted by Mr. Miller, senr., who lives at the back of the . billiard room adjoining. He was awakened shortly after midnight by crackling noises and falling articles. Awakening his son, Mr. W. J. Miller, who with his family sleeps in the same building, both rushed to the backyard, where they were almost overpowered by the dense smoke. At this period, apparently, there were no flames. Making their way to the front of the building, which is occupied by shops, they noticed a red glow half-way along the wall of Messrs. l&cDermott Bros’, shop which was separated from their own building by a four-inch space. Mr. Miller, junr., then ran to raise the alarm at the Taupo Timber Co.’s mill, some quarter of a mile away, and just then the building burst into flames, and was noticed by Mr. Brown, the nightwatchman, who promptly blew the mill whistle. Mr. Miller, senr., meanwhile did what he could to prevent the flames spreading to the back of the saloon, in which direction the wind was blowing, and very shortly afterwards many willing helpers arrived on the scene. By this time Messrs. McDermott’s shop, which occupied a frontage of 33 feet to Princes street, and extended to a depth of 76 feet, was a raging furnace. A bucket brigade was quickly organised, every conceivable description of container being pressed into use and the efforts of the fire-fight-ers were concentrated on saving the adjoining premises. Luckily the walls of Miller’s building (hollow block) and Mr. Scrimgeour’s shop (brick) were fire-proof, but behind all the buildings were wooden outbuildings and fences, which together with a large number of empty packing cases made excellent fuel for the flames, which were intense and were being fanned by a light breeze.

Messrs. McDermott Bros.’ premises consisted of wood and iron, and were erected some six years ago. The business is now largely owned by Mr. Ken. McDermott, who bought out his brother’s interest some months ago, a smaller share being owned by other members of his family. The property is a freehold one, and with, the building was owned by the firm. The stock of McDermott Bros, was in the vicinity of £6500, while the building was valued at £1750. The insurances amount to approximately £6OOO on the stock, fittings and buildings, so that ithe firm is a very heavy losers, the estimate being well over four figures.

So far as can be ascertained the fire broke out in the centre of the shop, on the women’s side, and from the time of discovery, spread with extraordinary rapidity, for well before one o’clock the roof of the building had fallen in and by half-past all danger to adjoining buildings had passed. It was only after an hour’s valiant effort on the part of a number of townspeople, prominent among whom were Messrs. Miller, Smith Bros., Lochhead, Kipa, Thompson, Beca, Parker, Harwood and Snell, that danger to adjoining buildings was overcome and neighbouring shopowners aroused. At one period it was “ touch and go ” whether the flames or the fighters would win, and the fight was so strenuous and close that water had to be poured over some of the fighters to protect their clothes and bodies from the lapping of the flames. Gradually, however, the wooden fences were chopped' down, cases removed, and the fire controlled beyond all possibility of it encroaching at the back of the buildings where the bulk of the combustible material was situated; Meantime, Mr. Miller, junr., assisted by a bucket brigade on the lean-to roof had entered the attic above his billiard saloon, and amidst dense smoke had fought an outbreak in the roof

single-handed. With this controlled the last danger of ithe fire spreading beyond the fire-proof walls on either side was removed. The task on the front of the building, where the fire threatened to creep along the verandahs, was made easier owing to the wind blowing in the opposite direction. Nevertheless, at one period it looked as if Mrs. Rolfe’s shop adjoining would be set alight, but here again consistent work had its reward. It was very fortunate that a couple of very heavy showers had fallen over the town during the past week-end, for previous to that practically every tank in. the main street was empty, while as a result of the rain all were practically full on the night of the fire. As there is no water supply laid on in the town the fire-fighters were dependent on tanks for their supplies of water.

For perhaps three-quarters of an hour the fire was a very spectacular one, and lit up the whole town and environs with such an intense glare that most people, until they arrived on the scene, thought the sawmill was on fire.

Practically no damage was done to the stock of adjoining shops by the fire, though Mrs. Rolfe must be a fairly heavy loser through damage by water. Mr. Miller, junr., will be a heavy loser in that much of his furniture and gear was damaged by water, handling, and the heat. The verandahs on Miller’s buildings on one side, and Mr. Scrimgeour’s shop on the other, were badly charred while Miller’s buildings at the rear suffered considerable damage.

Mr. Miller estimates his loss at about £2OO, while other damage and losses are estimated as follows: Mr. Serimgeour shop, owned by Mrs. Henshaw, £25; Mrs. Rolfe (stock only), £lO. Mr. Miller’s building and furnishings are covered by insurance, details of which are not available, while Mrs Rolfe had no cover on her stock.