TWO SHOPS GUTTED.

Shannon News, 21 July 1922, Page 2

TWO SHOPS GUTTED.

EARLY-MORNING FI.RE IN LEVIN

GOOD SAVE BY BRIGADE

(From to-day’s Levip Chronicle)

The alarm of fire, fortunately a rare occurrence in Levin of late years, rang out from the Fire Station shortly after 2 o’clock this morning. The outbreak was first observed by Mr H. Hudson, who was then in Princess Street, and be made all haste to the fire station, and ,set the alarm in nation. The advantage of having firemen resident at the station was immediately e.vident, for at 2.15, three minutes after the alarm sounded, the motor hose carrier was on the way to the fire, which was located in tlie premises of Mr J. Lemmon (butcher), and Mrs Merritt (restaurant-keeper), in Oxford Street. When the brigade was approaching via Qutfen Street the flames lit up the whole neighbourhood, indicating, that the fire had a strong hold, and this was apparent when the fire-fighters reached the scene, for the flames were shooting out into Oxford Street from the front of the buildings and also at the rear were reaching high into the sky. Through a skylight in the rear, of Mr Lemmon’s shop the flames had also forced art outlet, through which sheets of flame shot into the air. The in terrier of both shops wa.s ablaze front end to end, and it appeared to be only a matter of a very short time >vhen both would be i demolished. By this time a large , crowd of spectators was present. The Brigade tost no time in getting two leads of water on to the building, and within ten minutes they had the outbreak in hand, and it was then only a matter of time when the flames were completely beaten Both shops, however, suffered' heavy damage, particularly tihe restaurant, the interior of which was quite burnt out, whilst Mr Lemmon’s was almost as bad.

The origin of the fire is unknown. Mr Lemmon was in' his shop at 5.30 p.m. yesterday, and lound everything in order. Mr Merritt, visited his premises alter the pictures last evening, and found all safe, leaving them for his home in Upper Queen Street.

The Brigade made a particularly good save, as only slight damage was suffered by Mr H. Walkley’s shop, which is separated from Lemmon's butchery by a narrow right-of-way. Mr Walkley’s' premises had the paint blistered in places, and the windows smashed and some water found its way inside and damaged portion o{ the stock. On the other side, adjoining Merritt’s, is Mr W. M. Clark’s large drapery emporium. These premises, however, suffered no damage whatever, owing to the wise provision of a party-wall in brick. Otherwise it is a certainty that the outbreak would have assumed much more serious dimensions. . ,

The Brigade may well he congratulated on its good work. This is the first big fire since it passed under the control of the Fire Board, and it fully justified-the confidence in its efficiency. The Brigade appreciated rhe kindness of some of the Oxford Street residents in providing hot refreshments after the press of the work was over. This was a thoughtful action.

The insurance on Mr Merritt’s furniture and stock was £360, and Mr Lemmon had £SOO on the building in which the two shops are situated and £225 on his plant and slock.