FIRE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 280, 20 August 1915, Page 4

FIRE.

MR. T. E. WILSON’S PREMISES. I NO INSURANCE ON STOCK. VERY LITTLE ON BUILDING*. There seems to have set in an epi demic of fires in this town and dls trict, providing another exemplification of the truth of the old saying that misfortunes never come singly. Only last Sunday it was reported that an eleven-roomed house at Koeke had been burned to the ground, which had

only very recently been acquired by Mr. McGuinn from Mr. Fitzpatrick, who had left the district. This fire occurred between .12 and 1 on Sunday morning. Absolutely nothing was saved. The insurances are supposed to be in the Government office, but it is feared that no insurance is current. Then on the same Sunday, about the same hour, a lire occurred at Messrs. McLaughlan's store in Taihape, the insurances on which have not been made public. Now we have another outbreak, that has resulted in a very severe loss, at Mr. T. E. Wilson’s office and rooms. It is strange that this fire should have broken out at trie same hour as the two previous fires, I

bin that may be a mere coincidence. The fire at Mr. Wilson ’s business premises was discovered by Mr. Duncan, the mghtwatchman, at about 1.30 o’clock this morning, and lie immediately gave the alarm. In commendable time the Fire Brigade was on the scene of the fire and before long had the hose at work. Owing to some reason there appeared to be a little de'Jjiy in getting any pressure, j but eventually the water was effectively played upon the fire. The flames spread from the roar of the building and ran along the ceiling. The fire hod got such a hold that the roof of oue large part of the building collapsed before the men had the flames under control, but gradually the fire subsided, and was eventually extinguished. Considering the pressure of water the firemen deserve every praise for their effecitve work, and especially in view of the strong hold of the fire in the first place. Unfortunately, Mr. Wilson hos no insurance over the stock, and the building is only covered by a policy for £209 in the State Office. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Mr. Manning, who Lives in a building at the back of Mr. Wilson’s premises, passed the spot where the fire commenced at about 12.30 and he noticed nothing of an unusual nature at that time, which indicates that the fire must have broken out suddenly, although possibly it ind been smouldering for an time.