FIRE IN TOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7713, 16 January 1905, Page 2

FIRE IN TOWN.

A WAREHOUSE GUTTED. Heavy smoke hanging over Messrs Burgess, Eraser, and Co.'s warehouse in Brougham Street, adjoining the railway shunting yard, together with tho glare of flames through a window, on Saturday evening attracted the attention of the men on one of the locomotives, who sounded the alarm. This was about B.MO, and there was some little further delay in getting news to the Fire Brigade, who, however, were quickly on the scene when the fire was located. By this time the flames I seemed to have a good hold on Ihe side iirarest the railway, and were I just bursting through n large doorway there. Under Captain Bellringer's direction the brigademen soon had the fire well under control, and in a few minutes' time all danger was over. How the outbreak originated is unknown. Fortunately there was no wind blowing ; otherwise a disastrous conflagration must have occurred. As it is, all goods on the lower floor have been completely destroyed, with the oflices ; while a large quantity of stock stored in the upper stories is practically destroyed by water and smoke. The stock usually kept in this store usually runs from "£BOOO to £IO,OOO. Insurances with the North Queensland Insurance Company total about £7OOO, partly reinsured. The lirm's books and papers were all recovered safely, tho oftice in which the safes were kept not having; been touched. Fortunately Messrs Burgess, Fraser and Co. hold full stocks at their Waitara 'branch, and in their tended store, so that they aro in a position to fulfil orders and carry on business as usual. A notice to this effect appears in another column.