FIRE AT ELTHAM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8481, 9 July 1907, Page 7

FIRE AT ELTHAM.

BUSINESS PLACES DESTROYED. DAMAGE £6,000. By Telegraph—Press Association. ELTHAM, July 8. A fire broke out at 6 o'clock yesterday morning in a shop occupied by Mrs Adams, fruiterer, High Street. The flames were not discovered till thev burst through the windows. A northerly gale was raging, and other wooden structures to the north quickly caught. The brigade was almost helpless owing to the terrific heat, and it seemed the fire could not be Stopped before it consumed the Athenaeum. There was also danger Davidson's drapery store tit the corner of Bridge Street <md High Street, and to Potts' Hotel on the opposite corner. Rain minimised the risk of flying sparks. A lull enabled the brigade to get a hose behind Dixon's blacksmitny shop and partly demolish the building Water was played on the advancing flames, which were stopped at Walker's saddlery establishment. The premises of the following were destroyed :-Mrs D. Adams, fruiterer- Mrs Hennesy, lolhe shop; Misses Cowens and Cave, dressmaKers (on top); CresswelL genera* storekeeper; Parker, denust (on top); Miss Robb, draper; Mrs Lewis, fruiterer; H. G. Payne, ieweller; Walker, saddler; and Dixon, blacKsmith (partially). The total loss is estimated at £6,000. Of this amount £3 000 was insured, £775 being in the Royal Office. The origin of the fire is unknown: The night watchman inspected the building a quarter of an hour before the outbreak. The telegraph wires were burnt down, but communication was restored at 9 a.m. to-day.