DISASTROUS FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 18 September 1907, Page 3

DISASTROUS FIRES.

THE DEVASTATION OF MURWILLbilBAH. Sydney, September 17. It is estimated thai the damage done by the Munvillumbah fire will range up to a value of £150,000. The greater part of the business centre is a mass of ruins. The whole destruction was wrought in four hours. Cut for the precaution of puling down buildings in the track of the flames, the whole town would, probably have been swept out. Loads of furniture and goods of all dctciiptions were apparently saved from disaster. Ihey were strewn aiot-.g the north side of the main street when the outbreak occurred. Unfortunately they only helped to fprrad the fire, for sparks »oon ignited the good;. With a view to checking !':• flames from Solofron and C'o.'s big -tire, the Commercial Baal: premises were' demolished. 'l'he experiment \v>s successful. Otherwise it would hve been impossible to nave -, nunfi-r c f hxid". tag* on that hide of the elr.-vt. Meantime the flames crc.vvil the street and swept a large block or. the other side. The Post Office caught fire seventimes, but heroic efforts surd the building. Had it gone, a dozen others must? hare followed. The patients from a private hospital which was destroyed were removed and attended to in the streets. It is estimated that 250 people wee rendered homeless. Scores took fucir oeds and slept in the open for the re- . mainder of the night. Others were aceornmodated in churches and schools. So i «»r as is known, no lives were lost. Several accidents h opened, but they were not of a serious character. During the progress of the fire there Was a considerable amount of looting On the main side of the town, onlv two hotels, a store, and a butcher's shop remain. ' Many of the phe„ destroyed were insured, but tbe insurance i, s- M ii J compared with ta- losses. tte lines of insurance mentions is Hie '' OUTBREAK AT BUNGALOW. ~ Sydney, September 1?. A fire occurred at Bungalow. This "rtbreak, HI» that at Murwi!!uml.at atarted m a bakerv. The fire destroyed the Bank of New u ttFSZr** and * i