BIG FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1922, Page 5

BIG FIRE

BLAZE AT ELTHAM.

LARGE SHOPS GUTTED,

WILKINSON'S DESTROYED. OTHER STORES BURNED. A big fire, involving the destruction of two large retail stores, occurred in Eltham early this morning. The buildings destroyed are:

C. A. Wilkinson, Ltd., hardware merchants. E. P. Goldstone, drapers.

The fire broke out about twenty minutes past midnight. The origin was at the back of Goldstone’s, in the block of buildings in Bridge Street occupied by Goldstone and Wilkinson’s, and which stand between the Coronation Hotel and the Bank of New Zealand.

The progress of the flames from their origin was rapid, and after swiftly devouring an outhouse they leapt to the onestoreyed wooden shop occupied by Goldstone, which was soon enveloped in flames. Then the fire spread to Wilkinson’s next door, which is also a one-storeyed wooden building. At one o’clock our Eltham correspondent telephoned that these buildings were wrapped in flames and the fire was burnling furiously. “Goldstone’s,” he stated, “is completely gutted, and it will not be long before Wilkinson’s is completely destroyed. The fire is still raging, and the extent of the damage can only be guessed.” At this stage anxiety was felt for the Coronation Hotel, a two-storeyed wooden building. The Bank of New Zealand was safe, because it is a concrete building. The Fire Brigade, which was soon on the scene in full force, put up a splendid fight, and though the shops involved were beyond saving it was felt the efforts to confine the fire in this area and save the hotel would be successful. Later. At 2.15 aan. our correspondent telephoned that the fire was still burning, but it was under control. Flames Broke through the windows of the Bank of New Zealand, but they were extinguished before they obtained a grip on the building. The work of the brigade to save the Coronation Hotel was successful, the building being scorched but not damaged. A strong wind was blowing, and this assisted the flames to sweep all over Goldstone’s and Wilkinson’s buildings, with the result that both stores were soon completely gutted. As the fire raged the walls and roofs were soon, eaten away, until they quickly collapsed into the blazing interiors, and it was not long before the scene was a mass of fire-swept debris, little remaining of the original outline of two of Eltham’s biggest shops. Nothing was saved from the fire. Goldstone’s stock was valued at about £30,000, and the approximate value of Wilkinson’s stock was £20,000. The insurances are not available, but both firms will be heavy losers.