DESTRUCTIVE FIRE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 260, 27 June 1932, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE

WHAKATANE BLOCK SHOP PREMISES GUTTED BY EARLY MORNING OUTBREAK. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. WHAKATANE, Sunday. At 12.45 this morning a fire broke ,out in the work room of the premises of Miss B. Dingle, milliner,' theStrand, Whakatane, and spreading. quickly from the partitions to the ceiling, fired the premises of Mr. C.. G. Caisley's stationery shop. Although smart work was done by the brigade in checking the fiames, the outbreak spread so rapidly that nothing could be done to save Miss Dingie's premises, and these were totally destroyed. Mr. Caisley's stock was damaged to the extent of over £2000. Both shops were the property of Mr. Caisley. Miss Dingle, who was sleeping on the premises, was awakened by the smoke, which 'almost choked hef. She rushed out into the work room and was met with a furnace of fii*e and smoke, and collecting a few clothes, she rushed out to give the alarm. When the brigade arrived, the fire, which had "obtained a great hold, was blazing fiercely, and efforts were centred upon preventirig the" flames; spreading to the adjoining premises.After a strenuous fight, the brigade,urider the capable supervision of Sup erint en dent E. Ward, succeeded in localising the outbreak, and buildings alongside received no damage' other than from the huge clouds of smoke which entered through the* ceilings. The origin of the fire is not definitely known, bnt it probably was caused by the fusing of electrical apparatus in Miss Dingie's work room. The entire buildings is insured for £900, and Mr. Caisley's stock for £800 in the South British, N.Z. Insurance Co., and Norwich Union offices. Miss Dingie's stock and effects were insured in the State Fire Office foi* £175.