DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 202, 24 August 1904, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

By Telegraph—Press 'Association.) I CHRISTCHUKCH, this day. A destructive fire occurred in this city early this moT/iing. The top storey I of Messrs Wardell Bros', buildings in ' Cashel-street, were gutted, and extensive damage inflicted throughout their premises by fire and water. The building, a four-storey one, -was erected about three years ago. The ?round floor was used by Messrs. Warlell Bros, as a grocery shop and store. 'Jt Bain. dentist. Mr Hoffmeister, (tailor), Mr. Wright (music teacher) and Atkinson Bros, (agents), rented rooms in upper floors.. The greater part of the top floor-was rented by Mr W. E. Sorrcll (photographer). The fire starter , in the top tsorey, apparently in the ptotoigTaphic studio. . ""ing to the heroic efforts of the fire li'r-ade it was confined there, and enormous damage was done throughout the whole building Yγ water. It is estimated that the total damagto the building and stocks of tenants is £7000. The insurances are- Wardell's Stock, New Zealand, £?.(?€* -. Victoria. £650; Royal Exchange, £700; total £3350. Sorrell, photographic study, Phoenix. £400. Hofmeister, tailor, National, £55. t tkinson, worchouseman, Phoenix, £700. Bain, dentist, I'-.— end Union, fs. e ,Z~, Smale (dentist), Y~p Zealand, £ 15a Dr. Clayton (co-.i- i.t ng rooms), Liverpool, London ancl £25. Wright (music t*"c v er). uninsured. The building is ir.Tiired for £4500. as follows: Royal Esehanbe £2000, Manihester £101)0, South British £1000, Northern £500. j