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DISASTROUS FIRE DESTROYS LARGE GREYMOUTH SHOP.

FIREMEN ESCAPE NARROWLY WHEN ROOF CRASHES DOWN. Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, January 15. The most disastrous fire which has taken place at Greymouth for a considerable time occurred at 5.50 last night, resulting in the total destruction of the Mawhera Quay premises of M Gruer's, Ltd., with stocks estimated to be worth £IO.OOO to £12.000. The fire appeared to have commenced in the rear upstairs portion of the premises, and by the time the brigade were on the scene it was obvious that the building and its contents were doomed. So great was the hold which the flames had established in a few minutes that had it not been for the high brick and concrete wall which surrounds the building, the fire must have spread to the adjoining premises of Ashby, Bergh, Ltd., Harker’s Tea Rooms and the National Bank. Owing to the direction of the wind (south-west), the premises occupied in Werita Street by James and Yorwarth, motor-cycle dealers, were in

danger, and actually caught alight in the rear portion of the building. As i’t was. all the damage sustained by the adjoining buildings were broken skylights in Ashby. Bergh’s premises, and in the. National Bank, and /a small amount of damage by water in the latter premises.

When the brigade got its engine to work, there was an ample supply of water and satisfactory pressure, but owing to a fault developing i*n the suction pipe, it was about fifteen minutes before the engine commenced operations. Meantime leads had been taken off hydrants in front of Kettle Brothers and Kim Williams’s premises, and from another plug in Maclcay Street. It was seen by 9.30 o'clock that the brigade was getting the fire in hand. and three-quarters of an hour later the outbreak was practically quelled.

There was considerable excitement at 9.30 o’clock, when the roof of the building came crashing down, as there were a number of firemen in the building. They were all accounted for, however, most of them having run quickly out of doors. But when a tally was taken, it was found that Fireman J. Kennedy was still in the building. All fears were shortly abated, however, as he called out he was all right. When the alarm was given that the roof was falling, a number of the men inside the building took refuge underneath the counters and so were safe. Fireman White sustained a bad cut on his hand with a piece of glass, but otherwise all the firemen got out without injury. Mr P. Thorpy, manager, is absent at a convention of M’Gruer’s branch managers, at Wanganui. The shop had just been freshly dressed out, and a quantity of new stock was opened up yesterday. The origin of the fire is unknown, Mr Brooks, sub-manager for M’Gruer’s, stated that when he locked up at 5.30, everything was all right. M'Gruer’s was insured in the Excess Office, London, but the amounts are not available. Ashby, Bergh’s stock is insured for £I4OO in the Atlas Office, and is also insured in other offices. The National Bank’s insurance is also with the Atlas Office.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19270115.2.41

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18055, 15 January 1927, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
524

DISASTROUS FIRE DESTROYS LARGE GREYMOUTH SHOP. Star (Christchurch), Issue 18055, 15 January 1927, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE DESTROYS LARGE GREYMOUTH SHOP. Star (Christchurch), Issue 18055, 15 January 1927, Page 2

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