GREAT FIRE IN TiMARU.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9067, 6 February 1908, Page 5

GREAT FIRE IN TiMARU.

FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE DESTROYED. Press Association. i ' Timaru, February 5. The biggest fire in Timaru since 1868 broke out at 5.40 this afternoon in the town retailThou.se ' of the Farmers’ Co-operative Association, a large brick building facing Beswick street and Strathallen street. When first seen the fire had a hold in the i inoleum and carpet room on the first ioor, and spread with great rapidity into the drapery department adjoining. The floor was crammed with drapery and such like inflammable material. In a very short time both the Town and Railway Brigades had twelve leads of (hose going, hut it was soon seen that the large building and its valuable contents were doomed. The fire burnt fiercely for two hours, and practically only the bare walls were left standing. At 8 p m. a magnificent sight was seen when,the fire was at its height, and explosions of cartridges and dynamite in the building vreatod repeated panics among the dense crowds of ptiople looking on. Fortu-nately-the building stands slightly apart from the Royal Hotel and Reid and Grey’s warehouse, and as the weather was calm the brigades had no difficulty in saving tho adjoining'" premises, there’ being a splendid supply of water. The books of the Farmers’ Cooperative were saved, and also a few lots of stock, such as saddlery, groceries, etc., but, practically speaking, a clean sweep was made. The loss is estimated at £70,000 to £BO,OOO. There is an insurance of £45,000 on the stock, and on the fittings of £15,000. The offices interested are the Royal. Alliance, New Zealand. Phoenix, Royal Exchange, National, Farmers’ Co-operative, Norwich Union, Standard, Northern Assurance, North British, M’)uoeusland, and South British.