VERY LATEST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3783, 11 April 1891, Page 3

VERY LATEST.

(By Telegraph). [Per Press Association.] Destructive Fire at Falmerston tfPalmebston Nobth, Saturday, A destructive fire broke out here at 1.80 this morning in Regan's three storey boarding hou3e, which is Bituated in the Square. Sorwall's cabinet makers shop, Montague's auction mart, andHankin's Buildings were also destroyed. It is not certain whether all the inmates of the boarding house escaped, bat it is believed Lateb. The fire spread both sides from Regan's twelve roomed boarding house to J. K. Montagu's auction mart occupied by owner and Native Land Court, J. Sorwall's furniture warehouse occupied by owner, and to E. B. Pearce's commission agent. Hankin's buildings were occupied by Weight & Co., grocers, L. B. Clark, draper, J. H. Hankins, solicitor, and T. H. James, architect. The occupants cf the boarding house barely escaped with their lives by jumping from windows. Rumours are current that two men were burnt, lacks confirmation. Nothing was saved from Regan'?, bu' from the three other buildings, most of contents were saved. The strong room and fire safes in Mr Hankins' premises were untouched, and all the deeds and papers of his clients were saved. The bank of New Zealand was in great dauger at one time. The insurances so far as can be ascertained are as follows: Montagu's premises £350 on building, and stock Ll5O, estimated loss £500; Sorwall's £3OO on building, and stock uninsured; Pearce uninsured, estimated loss £500; Hankins' buildings £550 on building, furniture and books £?00; Weight and Co's stock £150; Clark, uninsured, Jones, uninsured. The fire is the largest and most disastrous that has ever occurred in Palmerston.