FIRE AT WAIMATE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2136, 26 January 1880, Page 2

FIRE AT WAIMATE.

TOWN EDITION.

At about two o’clock on Sunday morning, a fire broke out in Mr C. H. Clarke’s premises, Queen street, Waimatc. The flames spread rapidly and in a very short time the whole of Clarke’s saddlery and millinery shops and J. Maberley’s cabinetmaker’s -- premises were enveloped in the, blaze} Mr F. Gaitt’s grocery shop on one' side, and Mrs Cummings’ dwellinghouse on the other side were only saved through the efforts of the Fire Brigade assisted by numerous volunteers. Had " there been any wind, there is not the ■ slightest doubt but that the principal’ part of the town would have been des* ’ troyed. The losses we have been unable to definitely ascertain. Gaitt estimates his loss at £4OO. Mr Clarke had his buildings insured in the Stan- ■ dard for £IOO, and Mr Maberley was insured in the Norwich Union. The origin of the fire is unknown,-but it is-* believed that an official enquiry will take place. Wo may state, however, that some men are born to trouble “ as the sparks fly upwards,” and that. Mr Clarke seems to be peculiarly unfortunate.