A DISASTROUS FIRE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 21 January 1908, Page 5

A DISASTROUS FIRE.

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £200,000. FOUR MEN INJURED. Press Association —Copyright. Newcastle, Last Night. One of the most disastrous fires in the history of the town broke out this morning in Cohen and Coy. ’s large warehouse, situated in a block of business premises bounded by Scott, Margaret Hunter and Wolffe streets. The whole block was more or less damaged, the principal destruction being caused by falling walls. Cohen’s buildings were completely gutted, and the other premises severely damaged were:—Whortlinga’ Hotel, School of Arts, Brinsto piano warehouse, Kangaroo Coupon Co., Lasker Bros., tailors; Neves’ furniture warehouse, and Steggas’s drapers. A number of others were damaged slightly. The fire had a good hold when discovered, and spread with great rapidity.' The whole of the brigades in the district were engaged in fighting the flames, and their splendid efforts succeeded in preventing a more serious conflagration. The fire was well in hand at 1.15 jp.m. but the debris blocked the tramway and main railway lines and disorganised the telephone system. Pour men were injured by the collapsing of walls. Rough estimates of the damage range as high as £300.000. It is understood to be largely covered by insurance. [Cohen and Co. are very large merchants doing business right through the districts around and beyond Newcastle, and at Newcastle itself, and their premises were superb. ] The origin of the fire at Cohen’s is a mystery. Being a Jewish firm, it had closed the business since Friday evening. The warehouse was a fonr-storeyed one, the largest, best equipped and most heavily stocked in the State. The stock was valued at from £IOO,OOO to £130,000. At its height the fire was visible for 20 miles. The stock included a large quantity of cartridges stored in a magazine, and when the flames reached them' they kept up a fen-de-joie for half an hour. Fireman Rasmussen came into contact with a live electric wire and was almost electrocuted. He was removed to the hospital in a serious condition. Three men, Dougherty, Kirchener and Oraudle were removing property at the School of Arts when a large mass of Cohen’s wall collapsed, imprisoning them. They were rescued in a quarter of an hour, much cut and bruised and taken to the hospital. Debris blocking the railway lino prevented the train convoying miners to Lambtou B pit which was thrown idle in consequence. The lines were cleared after some hours. Received January 31, 10.30 a.m. Sydney, January 21. Cohen’s buildings were insured for £14,500 in the Lancashire. They were valued at £25,000 and the stock at £IOO,OOO. It is believed the latter is largely covered by thel United, which has the risk distributed.