DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1920, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

TWO WAREHOUSES DESTROYED LOSS TOTALS £75,000. By Telerrnph.— Pcesa Association. Invereargill, Nov. 20. The most destructive fire that has oecurrcd here for many years broke out in the National Mortgage Co.'s premise* in the Crescent block shortly after three o'clock this morning. When tlie brigade arrived the place was a seething mass of flames, and the two-storeyed brick building was completely gutted, nothing being saved. The flames broke into an adjoining four-' storevcil building of the New Zealand Loan Co., the main portion being destroyed, with valuable contents, only part of the front offices remaining intact. Extensive stocks of seeds, cornsaeks, fertilisers, and general merchandise •were carried by both firms, and the loan will be very heavy. It is estimated it will cost over £20,000 to re-instate the National Mortgage Co.'s building, and the contents were valued at botweeny £15,000 and £20,000. The Loan Co'» building contained 850 bales of wool be* longing to the Imperial Government, besides a large quantity stored fop clients. Valuable plant, a large quantity of seed, oats, manures and general merchandise were totally destroyed. The aggregate loss will probably reach £75,000. The insurances are no» available.