FIRE AT OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 189, 24 August 1903, Page 2

FIRE AT OPUNAKE.

August 22, A fire occurred in the centre of the town at 1 o'clock this m)roiop, which resulted in the complete destruction of Messrs Tindle and Oo.'s auoiion mart, the shop of Mrs Oassidy, dressmaker, and Mr Watts, butcher. The brigade saved Newman's and Stitt's on each side.

T?he nre started In Oassidy's. The alarm was given by two young ladies, but the bell r.vpe broke after they had sounded two or three warning strokes. A few who had not retired to rest were quickly on the scene, but the fire had by this time completely gripped Mrs Oassidy's premises. Despite strenuous efforts the fire moved eastward to Messrs Tindle and Oo.'s auction mart, which soon became an irretrievable [prey to the fiery ettmanr, and in the 'meantime Mr Watts' butchery, on the westward side of Mrs Oassidy's, caught, and was soon blazing merrily. The fire Brigade, whose engine is a small ane, stuck gallantly to their task, and were energetically aided by many volunteers, including women. To save the buildings in close proximity, ropes were attached to the burning s'ructures, whioh were pulled down on their own sites, and quickly consumed. The insurances on the buildings and stock were uoeecurabl?, - Star,