£11,000 DAMAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 72, 27 March 1937, Page 12

£11,000 DAMAGE.

CHRISTCHURCH FIRE.

CLOTHING FIRM'S LOSS.

MANY GARMENTS DESTROYED,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Damage estimated at £11,000 was caused by a fire in the premises of Millers, Ltd., clothing manufacturers and retailers, at the corner of Lichfield Street and High Street, about 45 minutes after the shops closed last night. The flames destroyed or damaged stock and plant to the value of about £10,000 and damaged the building to the extent of about £1000.

The outbreak began in a workroom on the top storey. Apart from stock damaged by fire, a large ipiantity of goods on the two lower floors was affected by water. The firemen had the outbreak under control in little over half an hour after the call was received, but there was a great deal of work to do in the way of salvage. The ground floor was closed to drive the smoke out of the open windows on the upper floors, and by then the great quantity of water that had been poured on the fire had begun to seep through below. Employees of the firm and firemen moved all the models on display on the ground floor showroom, and then jthev turned their attention to carrying [bolts of cloth and stores on the second I floor to another room, away from the smoke and water.

Five engines were called to the scene, including the electric extension ladder. As this left only one engine at the central station, suburban engines were called in to the city and stood by until all danger had passed and some of the city engines were able to return. Altliought there was a crowd of more than 3000 spectators, there was little trouble in controlling them.

In the sewing room for men's garments were more than 50 sewing machines, and many hundreds of pairs of trousers and coats in varying stages of completion. These were completely spoiled. The sewing machines were in many cases badly charred. They were valued at from £100 downward apiece. A new automatic electric pressing machine, valued at about £200, was installed only four days ago.

' Many members of the staff were engaged to-day under the direction of the proprietor, Air. L. B. Miller, in reducing the premises to order and conveying damaged goods and plant to storerooms near the building.

The stock and plant were insured by Lloyd's for about £70,000. The building was insured in the Standard and Northern Offices for £30,000.