FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 58, 30 August 1911, Page 2

FIRES.

FITZROY ROILING DOWN WORKS DESTROYED. V. Shortly after three o'clock yesterday morning a Are was discovered to have broken out at the boiling down and manure works of Messrs. Solo Bros., near the municipal abattoirs at Fitzroy. When the fire was discovered the building was already practically gutted, the roof and walls having fallen in. The plant, a large quantity of hides and tallow, and fifteen tons of bonedust were destroyed. A piggery alongside .the works was also burned down, and four pigs were roasted alive, and a number of others, although they escaped from the pens, were so badly burned that, they had to bo killed. It was with great difficulty the stables were saved, and in this connection great credit is due to Mr. T. Mack,, who worked hard with buckets of water, frequently putting out the Are when it ; caught the stables. Ha also succeeded in saving Messrs. Sol« Bros.' waggon, which caught fire. The Fitzroy Fire Brigade was called, and the men were quickly on the scene, bnt owing to the advanced state of the fire when it was discovered the building was then demolished, practically nothing being left but debris. The brigade, however, ran out a length of hose with the intention of playing the water on tne embers, but there was something seriously wrong with the supply, and no pressure could be obtained. The building was insured in the South British Office for £2OO, and the same office had a policy for £125 on the hides, skins and tallow. Messrs Sole Bros. estimate their loss at about £SOO over the insurance. The origin of the Are is a mystery. The Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne) visited the scene of the fire during the morning, and proposes holding an enquiry concerning the unsatisfactory water pressure. A RAHOTU BLAZE. 'Mr. Baker's boarding-house, practicality a new building, was completely destroyed by fire shortly after midnight on Tuesday. The fire started in' the back of the house, and spread very quickly. Mrs. Baker was away in New Plymouth, and Mr. Baker had just returned home from there. There were only three boarders in the house at the time, Messrs. Bradley, Graham and Green. The furniture from several of the front rooms was saved, but Mr. Bauer's loss must be very considerable. The house was insured for £2OO in the Victoria Insurance Company and £l4O in the New Zealand Insurance Company, which also held a risk of £2OO on the furniture. ' If your property is not insured, call at •r ring up the United Insurance Company, Ltd., Devon street; telephone 196. WeVster Bros., district agents.' Insurances effected on the most favorable temie.—AdH.