CAUSE OF FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 259, 2 November 1933, Page 10

CAUSE OF FIRE.

CHRISTCHURCH LOSSES

SUPERINTENDENT'S OPINION.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. The cause of the fire which gutted Mac Gibbon's Buildings in Hereford Street, causing damage estimated at about £25,000, is still unknown, but the superintendent of 'the fire brigade said to-day he was satisfied the fire did not start on the top floor. It apparently originated in a paint shop at, the back of Chandler and Company's premises, immediately above the point at which the fire was burning most fiercely when the outbreak was discovered. The greatest damage was done in the premises. occupied by Weston Brothers and Company/ leather merchants. The estimated loss on the buildings, which are owned by Mac Gibbon's Buildings, Limited, is approximately £7000. The insurances were £4700 with the Australian Alliance Office. Weston Brothers' losses are estimated at between £15,000 and £17,000. The insurances on the stock and plant were £11,500 with the Liverpool and London and Globe Office. The damage to the stock of Chandler and Company, advertising agents, is estimated to be £800 to £1000. 'The insurance was £1000 with thfe 'New Zealand Office.

The only damage suffered by the jencol Oil Company, another tenant in the building, was by water. A storeroom containing 2000 gallons of oil was not reached "by the flames. The stock was insured for £500 with the Royal Office. The- main premises of Andrews, Baty and Company, printers, were in an adjoining building, which was unharmed. The firm used a portion of the destroyed building as a bulk store and in it stock was damaged to the cxient of £800 to £1000. The total insurances of Andrews, Baty and Company are £7000 with the Northern Assurance Office, £7000 with the Halifax Office and £1500 with the Liverpool and London and' Globe Office.