BIG FIRE AT BLUFF.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17813, 12 July 1923, Page 9

BIG FIRE AT BLUFF.

WOOL STORE DESTROYED. (PRBSB ASSOCIATION TZLEORAIt.) INYERCARGILL, July 11. Shortly after 6 o'clock this morning a Are was discovered in the stores of the Shaw, Savill Company at Bluff. The fire had a good hold when the alarm was given, but three railwaymen ran out an engine and hauled about fourteen trucksj nine of which were fully loaded with wool, out of the blading building. Tho stores are about six or seven hundred yards from the nearest water main, and the hoso was found to be not nearly long enough to reach the fire. The Harbour Board's hose was promptly obtained, and the brigade soon had a lead of some 2000 feet. The centre of the building was 'practically gutted, and it was impossible for the brigade, with the means at hand, to cope effectually with the fire. About 7 o'clock the whole front of the place showed sigus of collapse, and soon the entire "frontage had fallen, revealing blazing piles of grain and wool. At 8 o'clock tho brick wall on tho town side collapsed on an adjoining residence, and tho roof subsided under the weight of the bricks. By 9 o'clock the fire brigade had the flames well in hand, and succeeded in stopping the fire spreading to the neax-by houses, though the Shaw. Savill buildings were completely wrecked. The insurances are not available. (snout to "tn nm.") INYERCARGILL, July 11. Mr P. Clark, manager for the Shaw, Savill Co. at' Bluff, said he considered the total damage amounted to between £40,000 and £50,000. The stores, which were erected in 1011, covered an area of approximately li acres, and 1 consisted of a wood and iron building, with a brick wall on the, eastern side. Machinery valued at several hundred pounds was also destroyed. The company has secured temporary premises, and stops will be immediately taken to replace the building in order to be ready for next season's operations.