BAKEHOUSE BURNED.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1921, Page 4

BAKEHOUSE BURNED.

FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. A fire broke out in J. Somerton's bakehouse at the rear of the Red House Hotel, New Plymouth, shortly before 1 o’clock this morning, and the building was considerably damaged. The brigade was promptly on the scene, but the fire had a good hold in the dry. wooden building, and was not extinguished until the bakehouse was badly burned. The premises adjoin the storerooms of the Red House Hotel, and these buildings, and the stock of liqour, sustained some damage from fire and water. In a stable attached to the premises were two valuable horses, and the bakehouse was also in dangerous proximity to the rear of the hotel, but the prompt action of the brigade prevented any serious spread of the fire, and excepting for a little fire that crept through the walls into the hotel storeroom, apparently little other damage was done.

Mr. Somerton stated that he left the premises at about 11 o’clock last night and everything was then in order. No fire was left in the building, and he could give no reason for the outbreak. There was a fairly heavy stock of flour in the building, and this was apparently totally destroyed. Mr. Somerton could not give the extent of the insurances, but he thought the premises were fairly well covered. Some anxiety was felt by the occupants of the hotel. The wind blew the smoke and flames in that direction, and but for a good pressure of water and the prompt action of the brigade a much more serious fire may have resulted. As a result of the fire the baking business will be thrown out of order, and not only will Mr. Somerton be a heavy loser, but his customers will also suffer some inconvenience.