LOSSES BY FIRE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 79, 13 January 1928, Page 6

LOSSES BY FIRE

MARTON MERCHANTS’ STORE* MAN’S NARROW ESCAPE. (Per Press Association., MARTON, January 12. A lire at 3 o’clock this morning destroyed the premises of Barraud and Abraham, farmers’ merchants. The building, of two storeys, was very old. The flames had a good hold when discovered by the nightwatchman, who attempted to arouse the manager, MiKeeling, who was sleeping on the top storev. Getting no reply, the watchman "thought the manager was out of town. A few minutes later Mr Keeling, who bad been soundly asleep, was awakened. His room was full of smoke. He escaped by a window and got down by the firm’s signboard, only just in time. A few seconds later the whole building was ablaze. The _ premises contained inflammable material winch menaced the adjoining White Hart Hotel and the Farmers’ Co.op. premises, but the Fire Brigade made a wonderful save of these buildings and confined the outbreak to Barraud’s. Ihe damage is unknown, but is believed to run to several thousands. The insurances on the building are £.2000 and on the stock £2500 in the Commercial Union office.

GARAGE AND MOTOR-CARS. (Per Press Association.) THAMES, January 12. Fire at 2 a.m. destroyed two Hudson sedans and one Hudson tourer in a garage belonging to Corbett and Winder, taxi proprietors. The fire had a good hold when discovered. Une sedan was insured for £4OO, and the insurance on the others is not available. The brigade made a good save of a building ten feet away. There was a good water supply. DWELLING-HOUSE BURNED. (Per Press Association.) / GISBORNE, January 12. A fire destroyed a seven-roomed dwelling owned by Mr Biggar and occupied by Mr Frayling. The occupant lost the whole of his furniture and a motor-car which were uninsured. Ihe building was insured for £1250.