FIRE AT TIMARU.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9415, 8 April 1909, Page 5

FIRE AT TIMARU.

£33,000 INSURANCE. Per Press Association. Timarn, April 8. At 11.15 last night a fire broke out in the Canterbury Farmers’ stores, Timarn, where business has been carried on since the big fire last year. At the time of telegraphing it was evident that the place was doomed, it being'a mass of flames from base to roof. The stock is all of an inflammable nature. The fire in the' premises of the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Company last night was discovered at 11.30, when it had a very strong hold and a great volume of flames were bursting fiom the roof above the tailoring department as the brigade arrived. It was frbm the outset that nothing could control the fire, and efforts were directed chiefly to checking the flames at the front to prevent the fire spreading to the two large hotels on the opposite side of the street, which is onlyhalf a chain wide. The fire reached its height a quarter of an hour after the alarm was given by which time the whole north half of the building was converted into a seething furance, while the remainder, was burning fiercely. Large portions of the exterior walls collapsed at intervals but no damage was done by falling bricks. The safety of the Customshouse nearest the building on the northern side was secured by a wide gap. By two o’clock the fire was practically burnt out, though the stacks ot goods were still blazing this morning in spite of the water poured on throughout the night. Little now remains hub bare walls. Milliners were engaged in the building till nine o’clock, and the watchman who locked up after they left round everything secure while passers by five minutes before thq alarm was given saw no fire. Insurances on the building, which is the property of the Association, were: Alliance £SCO. Imperial £IOOO, Farmers’ Co-op £1075. Stock, Alliance £15,800. Royal £5500, New Zealand £5500, Farmers’/ Co-op, £2500, Northern £I7OO. Furnitrue and fixtures, New Zealand £400; total £33,976. The Association proposes to recommence business immediately, utilising the temporary offices used bv the staff since the last fire in i February, 1908.