ONLY SHELL LEFT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 237, 19 July 1947, Page 2

ONLY SHELL LEFT

GREYMOUTH MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS \ SPECTACULAR iiLAZE (P.A.) GREYMORTH, July 18. Fire this morning destroyed the municipal buildings block, which incorporated the Town Hall. The blaze, which was di/covered about (i a.m., had a good hold be* lore the brigade arrived and spread from the central concert, chamber to both wings, and within an hour only the shell of the building remained.

Besides the Town Hall, the block contained the Carnegie Library, the municipal offices, borough chambers, meeting and club rooms. Most of the library books were removed before the fire caught the library wing, and a large quantity of furniture and the municipal documents were saved from the lower floor. Nothing was saved from the top floor, which contained the Old Boys' Club* room, with two billiard tables, and the quarters of the caretaker, who was absent at the time. Although the walls of the building were of concrete, the fire spread so rapidly in the wooden interior that the outbreak was soon out of control. It was the most spectacular blaze in Greymouth for many years. The buildings covered half a block in the centre of the town, and soon the whole area was a mass of flames. The fire brigade faced a hopeless task from the outset.

Church Hall Damaged

The adjoining Trinity. Church Hall was also damaged when the parapet from the municipal block crashed through the roof and partly demolished a wall.

The town clock, which was stored under the stage of the Town Hall since its removal from the Post Office tower on account of earthquake risk, was destroyed by fire. The municipal buildings were erected in 1904, and were in need of renovation. The Borough Council had had plans under consideration for the partial rebuilding and extensions so as to provide the town with a‘more up-to-date civic centre.

The insurances on the whole block and contents are £16,040. Included in this amount is £12,000 insurance on the building.