WOODEN STORE GUTTED

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22908, 3 January 1940, Page 8

WOODEN STORE GUTTED

FIRE AT RICCARTON LAST NIGHT

CONTENTS OF BUILDING ALSO '.'■■ BURNT -

A large detached wooden building at the rear of the Lower Riccarton Hotel, used as a store and washhouse, was destroyed by! fire, about 9.30 last night. Its contents, including firewood, timber, tools, vegetables, general stores, and some furniture, were also burnt. The building was insured. When the alarm was given, the fire had a good hold of the southern, end'of the building, a single-storey structure with a stable loft, and the flames quickly ran through to the' other end. The fire brigade was delayed by having to run out about a quarter of a mile of hose to bring water from the creek some distance down Deans avenue and the building was gutted. . Flames and dense clouds of smoke attracted a large crowd of spectators, many of whom thought the hotel was on fire. Although showers: of sparks were blown towards the hotel, it was not in danger. Had there been a strong south-westerly wind, the position would have been more serious. Some stock was removed from the burning building; but otherwise its aontents were all destroyed.