SERIOUS FIRE AT MATAURA

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 11

SERIOUS FIRE AT MATAURA

Blaze In Council Chambers DAMAGE TO UPPER STRUCTURE Another disastrous fire occurred at Mataura early yesterday morning—the fourth in recent weeks —when a serious outbreak was discovered in the Council Chambers, a single-story brick building in McQueen avenue. The building was seriously damaged, particularly the upper structure and the walls, while smoke and water, broken glass and fallen plaster added to the scene of chaos and accounted for the destruction of much of the reading matter in the public library, reading room, Coronation Hall and the office of the town clerk. A resident next door, Mrs Foley, was awakened by the crackle of the flames and drifting smoke and notified the fire brigade, which responded promptly. Two leads of hose were brought into use to combat the fire, which had a firm hold in the rear of the building and the roof and ceiling. Flames and smoke were belching from doors and windows to make the work of the firemen difficult and about an hour elapsed before the outbreak was subdued. The damage done was considerable and it is doubtful if the insurance cover will meet the cost of repairs. So far as can be ascertained, the fire started at the end of the passage, close to the back door, the flames licking upwards to the ceiling and travelling along the rafters and partitions. DAMAGE TO BOOKS The public library and reading room, as well as the council chambers and vestibule, were seriously damaged. About 2000 books were on the shelves of the library and the bulk of them suffered from the deluge of water and the dense smoke. Photographic enlargements in the council chambers, which cannot be replaced, suffered the same fate, but it is possible that several of them will be salvaged and retouched to preserve them. The office of the town clerk, which was removed from the main seat of the fire, escaped fairly lightly. Records and books stored in the strong room were unscathed. Insurances on the building total £lOOO, and are held by the Standard office, £750 being on the building and library and £250 on furniture and fittings.