DISASTROUS FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1916, Page 7

DISASTROUS FIRE

THEATRE ROYAL BLOCK GONE. FIVE BUILDINGS DESTROYED AND OTHERS DAMAGED. FIRE BRIGADE'S SPLEXDID WORK, Saturday's fire, briefly reportei in ouv last issue, was the most disastrous experienced in lVew Plymouth' since 1885, when the stretch of buildings from tlio Imperial Hotel comer to the H.uatoki

was v swept clean. But for the splendid work of the Fire Brigade, always energetic and eflicicnt, combined with the splendid 'Water pressure, it is hard to say where the conflagration would have ended. It is certain that the whole of the shops on Devon Street opposite the theatre right up to tlie Bank of Australasia, and the Post Office, as well as the White Hart Hotel and the neighboring buildings, must have gone. The wind, blowing from, the northeast, and the good work of the Fire Brigade, saved the Coffee Palace buildings and the other contiguous shops. 'ALARMING SUDDENNESS. The fire broke out with alarming suddenness. A News' man passed the buildings on bis way back from the. telegraph oiiice at 2 o'clock. Everything was then serene. Seven minutes afterwards the whole of the Theatre Eoyal block and the A.M.P. buildings, in process of demolition, 'was a raging furnace. The fire appears to have started in the top part of the A.M.P. building;], on the Devon street side, and near the theatre. Boarders at the Coffee Palace were awakened by the glare in their windows and gave the alarm. The Brigade came down at the double, and set about their grim work. It was seen that there was no hope of saving the Theatre Royal—the task was beyond human power. Vanned by the strong wind and there being anv amount of open space under the] ' buildings, which acted as a Hue, the flames leapt high into the sky and soon began to attack Govett and Quilham's building adjoining. EFFORTS TO LOCALISE. Superintendent Bellringer sought to confine the fire, and keep it back from the Devon Street buildings, which were soon threatened. The heat .was terrific, but this did not prevent the firemen from getting to close quarters. There was a brick partition wall between Govett and Quilliam's and Yeale's. Veale's shop was doomed, as the flames were licking round the ends of the wall, which did not come right out to the street. The great danger, however, was the possibility of the White Hart and the contiguous buildings catching. Several jets "were energetically plied upon this section.

FIRE'S ALARMING SPREAD. The brigade was meantime lighting with the lire across Devon Street, and a little lower down, .which had assumed alarming proportions. In fact, at this stage it seemed that it had secured too good a hold for the Invest lire ■lighters in the world to subdue. The whole of the top portions of A. 1". Webster's, Mollison's and Skinner's buildings were ablaze. The brigade brought more Heads to play, cud the brigadesmeu, regardless of the intense heat, got closer in and grappled grimly witu their terrible enemy, ON ECMONT STREET. Whilst this great contest was going on, watched now with breathless interest by the huge crowd that had assembled, the lire extended to the Egmont Street properties—Monteath's, J. b. McEwanaud Co., and the, Northern Steamship Company's. The brigade here had a diliicull task to perforin. They realised they had little or no chance of saving ,tlie buildings, but they were

chietly concerned -with saving the Coffee Palace opposite. Happily the wind favored them. At three o'clock the fire was slill fiercely attacking the Devon Street sliops. file lire fighters' task seemed hopeless. ''They've no chance in the wide world!" exclaimed a bystander. It seemed as if he were right. The Bank was also in danger. In fact, some of the trellis work at the back caught afire. A man in blue, *U on "his own,'' promptly put it out. A ROARING FURNACE At this time the scene was like a pyrotechnic display. There was a, roaring furnace on the Theatre Royal site, tongues of flames were licking the shops I opposite and venomously seeking further victims past Veale's, and sending forth myriads of .sparks, themselves a serious danger to the buildings, for half a mile inland. FORTUNATE LULL IN THE YVIN'». There was a iull in the wind. The brigade were able to get closer to their work. They clambered upon Venle's verandah and came to close grips with the enemy. On the other side the fiiemen seemed to redouble their efforts. In a few minutes it could be seen that the tide had turned and that the brigade had more than a sporting chance of winning out. PREPARING FOR FLIGHT. ~ The boarders at the Coffee Palace and the White Hart were busy meantime packing up their belongings and preparing for ILg'ht. Before this some of the occupants of the Ligmont Street buildings had removed their most valuable portable things. The police visited each house in Powiierham Street and warned inmates of their danger. A horse in the open space at the back of the theatre, which was whining piteously, was rescued by a bystander, who cut the wires. THE WHITE HART SAFE. At 3.20 the danger of the White Hart catching was removed. The intrepid brigadesmeu had beaten the enemy. How I they could stand to their guns, or rathoi their hose, surprised everybody. Up oi; Veale's verandah, poking their head: through the windows and setting their jets to work, they beat back the _ iim literally inch by inch, and foot by foot.

The building, of course, was absolutely gutted, but the adjoining block was safe.

THE BRIGADE WINS OUT.

The Devon Street .dock was now also safe. The lighters had the lire comfortably in hand. On the Egmont street side the fire was still fiercely raging. Monteath's building went, followed by ,1. B. MeEwau and Co.'s. There remained the corner building occupied by the Northtrn Steamship Co. There was a narrow passage between it and McKwan's, and the sides were of corrugated iron. The brigade meant to save this building because of the danger to the building's on the (jjipositc side of King street. It was soon dear they had thwarted the fire lieml once more.

It was a great achievement to break the fire at every point in the way the brigade had done. They have put up some line performances in the past, but nothing to equal this. ORIGIN OP THE FIRE. At 2 o'clock, as we have said, there was nothing amiss with the block in which the fire started. Constable Naughton, who was on duty, said he noticed smoke coming from the Theatre building at 2.5 a.m. He ran to the police station to give the Brigade the alarm. He, rushed back, when the flames burst out of the whole theatre and adjoining buildings. The brigade arrived on the scene at 2.1(5.

The nightwatchman was with the policeman. Had he been able to get prompt telephonic connection with the brigade or fire alarms been in the street the firemen would have been on the scene eight minutes earlier than they were.

Mr. E. Maxwell, of Rabotn, stopping at the Coffee Palace, was lying awake suffering from neuralgia, when at about 2 o'clock he saw a flicker, which was followed by another flicker and a big (lame. As far as be could tell, the fire had its origin about ten yards away from the Theatre Royal, and on the partition which divided the old State Fire Office and the A.M.P.

Mr. H. Nippert, stopping at the same place, was awakened by a glare and a crash. From the verandah of the Coffee Palace he saw flames issuing from underneath the theatre and footpath. Ho. lushed to the 'phone, but had difficulty iu getting the exchange. EIRE'S RECRUDESCENCE The Brigade was called out again on Sunday morning at 1 a.m. to put out the embers that were being fanned into (lame in the ruins. Rain came afterwards and all danger was removed. GENERAL NOTES. The nightwatchman did splendid work in warning people sleeping in the zone of ,the fire. He had great trouble in getting out Seed, the Theatre custodian, going back a second time, when the room was full of smoke. A few minutes to two, Mr. Inch was right opposite the Theatre with Policeman Norton, when there was no sign of fire.

'The contractor for the A.M.P. new building, Mr. A. A. Renner, of Welling ton, lost, heavily All his plant—a "plendid one—material, etc., were destroyed. His loss is over £SOO.

About 000 new seats for the Empire Theatre were stored under the Theatre. A. few days ago the leather parts of the seats were removed owing to the depredation of rats. The iron and backs were in the fire. The loss is covered by insurance. The members of the Royal Orchestra lost all their instruments and music. Mrs. (ieorge, the pianist, lost a very valuable collection of music. A movement is afoot to give the musicians a benefit performance.

One of the saddest looking countenances after the fire was that of the wax model in AnKl's show window. The heat had melted away half her face, which was bpspalte.cd over ber costume. She presented a woe-begone appearance as she gazed at the numerous passers bv!

Twenty tinr of kerosene stored in a kerosene store near Veale's shop eamo safely through the lire, despite the fact that the store was destroyed and that the eases in which they were packed were in some instances completely incinerated.

The .fire caused quite a number of telephones to be thrown out of action through the water getting into one of 'he underground cables. The repairing stall' were quickly at work, and the repairs are being carried out as expeditiously as possible. Mr. Hugh Baily was a considerable loser. His strong room was destroyed along with the paper of the Freezing Works, and several dairy companies, etc. Messrs Govett and Quilliam's strong room came through the tire unscathed. The overhead gear of the tramways in the vicinity of the fire was considerably damaged, but Mr. Hartley and his staff were early at work and by 10.5 a.m., the trains were running again—a really smart piece of work.

All day Saturday the fire was the scene of interest for the whole countryside, people coming by car,'horse and foot. It makes a big hole in the centre of the titwn.

I Superintendent Bellringer was loud in his praise of the work of his men. 'They did work,'' he told a News' man. "A more willing set you could not find anywhere. They did not study themselves in the slightest degree. ' They knew what we were up against and (bey got into it for all they were worth." Everyone else i s also proud of the brigadesmen. They fought like tigers, and took risks at times that amazed the onlookers, in the early stages, they got to werk with wet sacks over their heads —so intense was the heat, and later used a bill-board as protection.

Mr. J. Quilliam lost his valuable law library, a whole life's collection. Taraiwki Amusements, Ltd., lost heavily over the Ore. There was only £1501) on the Theatre building. .lust this sum was expended on renovations eighteen months ago. The company's loss is about £3IOO.

Over eighteen businesses were put out of action temporarily by the fire.

J. B. Mcl'.wan and Co. are heavy losers. Their building was full of dairy machinery, engines, etc., which were to go out almost immediately. Much of this cannot be replaced. A curious recovery of money was effected. Mr. L. M. Monteath on Saturday morning remembered that a roll of notes had inadvertently been left on the (able. He searched the ruins, and amongst them found the roll of notes, practically undamaged. It is almost incredible that anything in the nature of paper could have con.e through such an intense furnace. LOSSES AND INSURANCES. I Theatre Royal.—A wood and iron building, owned by the Taranaki Amusements,' Ltd. A complete loss, includ- ' i-ig the shop lately occupied by Leong j'Ciiig (fruiterer). Insurances—Ocean £;j(io, Guardian £IOOO. Stored under the building were !500 seats for the KmJ;.ire Theatre: insured for £30(4

The two-storey wooden building next to the Theatre AoyU in Devon Street, owned by the Govett estate; totally destroyed. It was insured tor .CIOOO in 'lie Royal. The upstairs jiortion was occupied by Messrs Govett and Quilliain, who were also insured for £4oti on the furniture in the Royal. The downstairs portion was occupied by Mr. Hugh liaily, accountant, who lost everything, including the contents of the strong room; Mr. Walter Bewley, Standard Burance Company, and Mr. K. L. Humphries, estate agent. Neither Messrs, ftaily, Bewley, nor Humphries were insured. The contents of Mr. Kowley's safe were damaged, but not to any great extent, Mr. Bewley also saved his valuables.

Tlie two-storiod wooden building, owned by the Cunningham estate, and occupied by Allan 'Veale (grocer), and upstairs by Mr. J. Cannon, of the Railway Department. The latter portion was completely destroyed, and the rest gutted. Cannon's furniture was insured for £175 in the Royal Exchange. The downstairs portion was gutted, Voale's stock was valued at .€IOOO, and insured for £SOO in the British Dominions, all ruined. The building was insured for £4OO in the South British.

What remained ot the old A.M.P. building, which was in course of demolition, was completely destroyed. The loss of the contractor (Mr. A. A. Renner) was £.500. He had put in £BS worth of cement only the day before.

The two storey wooden building in Egmont Street, occupied on the ground floor by Mr. L. M. Mouteath (commission agent) and Mr. Austin Bewley (solicitor) and untenanted upstairs, was completely destroyed. It was owned by Mr. .T. V. Wyborn, and insured for £OOO in the N'ew Zealand and £IOO in the Commercial Union. Mr. Monteath, some of whose papers were saved, was uninsured. Mr. Bewley was insured in the British Dominions but practically saved everything. 'The two storey wooden building owned and occupied by Messrs J. B. McEwan and Co., dairy machinery merchants, was also totally destroyed. Being the busy season, they were carrying very heavy stocks, but the insurance will not be ascertainable until Mr. McEwan arrives from Wellington this evening. Practically nothing was saved. The building at the corner, occupied by (he Northern Steamship C'ompanv and Mr. T. W. Welch, was owned by Mr. .1. V. Wyborn. It was insured in the Guardian and 'Phoenix, but suffered very little damage. The Colfee J'alare, on the opposite side of the street, had the paint badly scorched, but otherwise escaped damage. It is insured ii> the Phoenix.

Throe or four panes of glass wore destroyed in the building owned by Mr. T. K. Skinner and occupied by Mollison's. I'lie upstairs portion was occupied, by Mr. F. Messenger (architect). There was £."io insurance on the plate glass. The two storey wooden building occupied by llaker and Co. was owned by Mrs. Prudence Skinner. It was insured (or £-200 in (he Northern Office. Befond damage to paint and upstairs windows, the loss was inconsiderable. Baker's stock suffered a little damage bv water.

The two storey wooden building ocfupied by Cleave (fruiterer) and Forbes (tailor) was owned by Mr. \Y. IT. .Skinner (Christchnrch). K was damaged to Ihe extent of over £IOO, and was insuved for £750 in the State Office. Cleaves stock and furniture was insured for £2OO in the same office. The stock -ulfered considerably. Forbes also suffered considerable damage.

Tlii" two storey building occupied by Miss Hamerton (fancy goods) and the Singer Sewing Machine Company, and also Miss Pan Igor (dressmaker) upstairs, was also owned by Mr. W. 11. Skinner. It was insured for £250 in (he South British, and was damaged to about that extent, the upstair suffering most. Miss Hamerton was insured for £135 in the Guardian. The stock was considerably damaged l>y water and smoke.

The two storey building occupied by Mr. E. P. Webster and Messrs Sladden •ml Palmer (upstairs) was owned by Mr. E. 'P. Webster. It suffered severely, the upstairs being gutted, as was also the front office. The damage is estimated at £3OO. It was insured for CillO in the South British. Sladden and Palmer, -who lost heavilv. were insured for £2OO in the Atlas Office. Mrs. Allan Douglas owned the two storey building occupied by Voting and Logic, and .1. and .1. Anld (drapers). It was insured in the South British and State Offices, but save for the paint and plate glass, which was insured for £ 100 in the South British, very little damage was done. Young and Bogie's stock was insured for .C 47."> in the Phoenix Office. Only the window stock was damaged by the heat. Auld's also suffered slight damage to the goods in the window.