SERIOUS FIRE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 25, 9 November 1940, Page 4

SERIOUS FIRE

DRAPERY STOCK LOST.

BIG BLAZE fty EAST STREET.

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £2OOO.

HEAVIEST FOJt THIRTY YEARS,

The most serious fire in the East Street business area of Ashburton for 30 years occurred last evening when a double storey brick building between the premises occupied by Messrs M. C. Segers, Ltd., and Tyre Repair and Sales Co., and used by the former firm for the storing of drapery goods, was extensively damaged.

In some reliable quarters the damage through fire, water and smoke is estimated at about £2OOO, on the ground that some of the goods arc not replaceable. No definite figures are however available. .The stock is insured with the General Insurance Company and the building, a part of the block owned by the Ashburton Borough Council, is also covered by insurance. The amouncs are not available to-day. The blaze was the biggest since the Majestic Theatre was burnt out in August, 1937. '

The fire presented a very formidable appearance at about 7.45 when the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade arrived at full strength with two engines. Columns of dense smoke were pouring out of the top windows of the building on to East Street, and at the hack the roofing iron was red hot, and the red glow of flames could be seen through the windows. The Fire Under Control.

AYith two leads of hose, one off East Street into the front of the premises, and one off Moore Street into the hack, the Brigade had the blaze well under control within an hour. The pressure of water was stated to be satisfactory. The fire which was confined entirely to the top storey, is believed to have started in the north-east corner of the building. Kapoc, mattresses and men’s wear were the main items on the top floor. These were burnt or badly damaged by smoke and water. The ground floor housed linoleum and a considerable quantity of general goods and these suffered through water. The cause of the fire remains a mystery. v The Fire Brigade remained on duty till an early hour this morning as kapoc is liable to smoulder for a considerable time. In fighting the fire the men experienced some difficulty because of the suffocating nature of the gas ■ which kapoc gives off. AYith the Brigade were two Boy Scouts who are being trained for badges and who did good.work in their first experience of a fire. Fire Might Have Spread.

There were fears that the fire might have spread through the plaster-wall to the premises of Tyre Repair and Sales Company, but only slight damage was done there by water. A brick wall separated Segers Ltd.’s main shop from the burning building. Being late shopping night there were large crowds in town, the fire being the centre of interest. People thronged the street until the blaze was got under control shortly before nine o’clock. The alley-way at the hack of the building was also crowded with interested spectators. The insurance appraisers inspected the damage this morning.