FIRE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 90, 13 November 1916, Page 3

FIRE

SERIOUS BLAZE AT TAURANGA.

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £30,000.

Per Press Association

Tauranga, November 12

At 1.45 this morning a fire , broke out, which, ultimately, proved to be one of the most serious conflagrations ever known in Tauranga. The fire commenced in Bird’s confectionery, on the Strand, almost in the middle of the most southerly block of buildings. A strong easterly wind quickly spread the flames to McStay’s Commercial Hotel, owned and occupied by Mr Ale-Stay,, on the one side, and to Torrance’s (draper) on the other. D. Woolams (stationer), limes (jeweller), Norris and Bell Hand agents), Meers (photographer), Murdoch (jeweller), Crossley (tailor), Dromgol (solicitor), and portion of Hanimond’s (timber yard), and Griffiths’ (moto'r garage)-, followed liiAjuick and by 5 o’clock nothing remained but twisted iron and smouldering Meers (photographer) was uninsured, and loses everything. Sorrance (draper) estimates his loss above the insurance at £1000; Murdock (jeweller) had a small insurance, hut suffers heavy loss, the valuables, left in the safe, being almost totally destroyed. Solid stacks of wet rimu stacked in Hammond’s yard saved further progress towards the south, whilst the brick wall of a building owned by Air Spence (Hawera) stopped the fire, and after burning roflnd into Wbarf Street, la the other direction, a vacant section stopped it. It is impossible to obtain an accurate statement of insurances, hut the total loss of buildings and stock is roughly estimated at not less than £30,000. The cause of the fire is unknown. Air Gnmhley (Snneiiutendont of the Fire Bvjgade'i fell off the roof of a building, injured his leg. The brigade worked well, hut it was impossible to stay the fire in such a mass of solid wooden buildings with the heavy wind blowing.