FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1915, Page 2

FIRES.

BIG . BLAZE AT NORSEWOOD, BUCKET BRIGADE DOES GOOD WORK. By Telegraph,—Presa Association. Dannevirke, Sept. 18. The most serious fire since 1888 occured at South Norsewood yesterday, when a block of shops and the Salvation Army Barracks were destroyed. A howling gale was blowing at the time. The fire originated in a chimney near the . Salvation Army Barracks. Sparks lighted the barracks and the fire spread from there to Rickets' fruit shop, with a nine-roomed dwelling attached, also to Bartlett's saddler's 1 shop and a blacksmith's and wheelwright's shop, all owned by Rickets. Mackie's store caught live, also the Junction Hotel, but the flames in these were suppressed before much damage was done. Hulena's furniture store was also destroyed. 'Jlie Lutheran Hall caught (ire, but the flames were extinguished. The Army Barracks and quarters \verc insured, and most of the other places were covered, but the loss is considerably over the amounts of insurances. Had it nut been for the efforts of a bucket brigade the whole of South Norsewood would have been destroyed. The fire extinguishers had a trying time and several were hurt by flying debris, but none seriously. Mackie's store, which was saved yesterday, was the only one to escape destruction in the 1888 fire.