GREAT FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1602, 2 July 1887, Page 2

GREAT FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

DAMAGE £50,000.

A most disastrous conflagration broke out in Blenheim shortly before tw ' o’clock on Tuesday morning. The fire originated in the Criterion Hotel, and was first discovered by Master George Carter, who was an invalid, and sleeping at the west end r f the, building. In the room he oc^u t jied, and immediately oyer the diningroom, were hand grenades, and they, and such water as was available, were thrown on the flames but without avail. The Fire Brigade was promptly on the spot, and steam being got up on the engine, in fc< n minutes there were powerful streams of water playing on the burning pile ; but the fire had obtained too great a hold, and quickly spread to the adjoining buildings, occupied by Mr Augustus, hairdresser and tobacconist, and running along Market Street consumed the shops belonging to Mr Falconer, cabinet-maker, Mr Hums, saddler, Mr Healey, bootmaker, Mr Galloway, draper, and Mr Adame, butcher. The offices of Mr S. J. M.icalister, commission agent, were palled down, which stopped the progress of the fir© in that direction. A light nor-wester fanned the flunes across the street, destroying the Colonial Bank, Jubile* Drapery Warehouse, and the following shops ; —Mr Williams, bootmaker, Mr McKenzie, butcher, Mr Tucker, stationer, Mr Oclershaw, confectioner, Mr Elson, druggist (N". 1 shop), Mr Bingstadt, barber, Mr Pigott, clothier, Mr Elson, druggist (No, 2 shop), Mr Griffiths, auctioneer, Mr Macey, photographer, Mr Mason, witch maker, Mr Scott, confectioner (gutted). la Alfred street the Oddfellows’ Hall and two other cottages were consumed. It is thought the value of the property destroyed will amount to about £50,000. Tire Brigade Station- was twice on fire, but the engineer and assistants bravely stuck to the steam fire engine, irh'cti was stationed inside the shed. Grant credit is due to the Brigade for the plucky way they stuck to their duty against heavy odds in the intense beat. The insurances so far as can at present be gathered are as follow South British, £IB6O ; Standard, £3305 ; Liverpool and Globe, £2960; Royal, £IOOO ; Norwich Union, £I3OO ; Victoria, £875, National, £900; Northern, £800; New Zealand, £4200; Equitable, £1350; Colonial, £1350; Phoenix, £5425. The Union risks are not yet obtainable. *

Later news states that it is feared that Dr Horne, one of the oldest settlers in the district, perished in the fire ait the Criterion Hotel. ITe is known to have slept there. At fire tit was thought he had gone to his farm some miles out of town, but that was not the case. The ruins have been searched, but no body has yet been found. Dr Horne was called when the fire broke out, and it is reported he got up, bat all hope of his being alive is now lost. ;