HEAVY DAMAGE BY FIRE

Southland Times, Issue 24831, 25 August 1942, Page 4

HEAVY DAMAGE BY FIRE

Big Blaze In Dunedin (P.A.) DUNEDIN, August 24. A spectacular fire in the city tonight in a four-storey building owned by E. W. Pidgeon and Company, Vogel street, caused damage amounting to several thousands of pounds. The outbreak had a strong hold when discovered at 6.15 and the brigade could only confine the flames to the' top floor, used as a store by Victor Nelson, Ltd., cycle dealers, and the floor immeditely below, which was used as a clothing factory by J. A. Bradley and Company. The stock and plant on these floors was a complete loss, and considerable damage was done by water to stock on the lower floors. This included a large quantity of imported paper and Army stores. Water penetrated to the adjoining building occupied by Victor Nelson, Ltd., to such an extent that the entire stock, insured for £5OOO, was affected. The extent of the damage cannot be estimated until an inspection has been made. WOOL STORE DESTROYED (P.A.) BLENHEIM, August 24. One of the largest stores at Blenheim’s riverside wharves was totally destroyed by fire -at 9.30 this morning, together with a small quantity of baled wool, hay and straw. With storage space at a premium, the fire was particularly unfortunate, but the loss would have been greater later in the shearing season when the store would have been full <?f wool. The building, constructed of corrugated iron, was a seething mass of flames when the brigade arrived and a good save was impossible. Owned by the Wairau Harbour Board, the store was insured for £l4OO. The hay and wool were owned by C. W. Parker and Company and Levin and Company.