FIRE IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 173, 9 December 1912, Page 4

FIRE IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

LAUC V E WAREHOUSE GUTTED.

TWO FIREMEN INJURED.

The most serious. fire that Jias occurred in New Plymouth for some tiuuevent.uted about midnight on Saturday, and resulted in the line warehouse, owned by J. 11. Cock and Company, Limited, of Nelson, part of which they oeeupiui for their New Plymouth branch, the balance being leased by Messrs. Archibald; Claries and Company for a sof: goods' warehouse, being gutted. Both stocks were considerably damage 1. A suspicious circumstance in connection with the outbreak, and one that will probably form the subject of an e.v !iaust'.ve enquiry, is the i'act that the fire originated in an open lean to at the side of that portion occupied bv Messrs. A. Clark and Sons. This lean to was used for the purpose of loading and unloading goods, and was also "used for .storage- purposes. From here the fire travelled to the left, where the draught up the lift well quickly carried it to the first floor into Messrs. Clark and Sons' warehouse, it had a good hold when the alarm was -iven -by Mr. R. Cock, of the Piccadilly Dining Rooms, at about twenty minutes to twelve. The Brigade under Superintendent F. C. J. Bellringer, was quickly on the scene, and so was a hvrge concourse of people, who were kept in check by th,> police. 80 great a hold had the live that it looked as though the whole building, whioh was of corrugated iron with a wooden front, was doomed to destruction, but the Brigade worked splendidly, and, aided by a magnificent water pressure, soon conquered the devouring flames,' not, hdwever. before the portion occupied by Messrs. Clark and Sons was gutted, and the stock ruined by fire and water. The Brigade prevented the names from entering the lower storey, and also from invading Messrs. J. H. Cock and Company's department. Here, however, considerable damage was done by smoke and water. The night was clear and cold,_ with a slight southerly breeze blowing, and for a time the cottage at the back, owned and occupied -by Mrs. Douglas, was in danger, hut a "steady stream of water played on- it relieved any anxiety on that score.

Two .firemen received injuries necessitating .attendance by the' doctor, and others sustained minor wounds. 'Fireman Kay was temporarily incapacitated by being struck on the side with falling glass, and Custodian Lambert's •hand was badly cut, necessitating several stiches. The dannge by fire and water will be. pretty considerable, but will probably be covered by insurance. The insurances on the building (owned by Messrs. J. H. Cock and Company) are (as far as "m-Vl be ascertained yestcnlay) £I7OO in the London, Liverpool and Globe office. Messrs. Cock and Company's stock is irtsu'red for £3in<) m the same civic?. Messrs. Archibald I lark and Son's stock is insured fo; about £OOOO, the risk being held by the New Zealand and South British offiees.

B your property is not insured, call at or ring up the United Insurance Company, Ltd., Devon street telephone 198. Webster Bros., district agents. Insurance effected on the most (favorable terms.—Advt.