FIRE IN COLOMBO STREET SHOP

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26887, 13 November 1952, Page 8

FIRE IN COLOMBO STREET SHOP

FURNITURE STOCKS DAMAGED

BRIGADE MAKES GOOD SAVE

Antique and modern Swedish furniture valued at approximately £l2OO was badly damaged and the back section of the building was gutted, when a fire broke out in Farr’s furniture store, 570 Colombo street, Christchurch, early last evening. The store, which is in a wooden building thought to be about 70 years old, is owned by Miss Patricia Nelson, of 103 Ranfurly street, Christchurch. The Central Fire Station received the call through a street alarm and by telephone at 6.15 p.m., and although it took no more than a minute or two for four engines to arrive, the fire had a good hold, and was sending a dense cloud of smoke across Colombo street. The brigade, using two leads at the back of the premises, had the fire under control in a very few minutes, and confined the damage from the flames largely to the rear of the shop. However, the front portion was also damaged by heat, smoke, and water. At the back, the damage seemed irreparable—a confusion of wood, cracked and broken kitchen equipment, with the telephone, at the point of disintegration. still in position on Miss Nelson’s desk. The heat in the early stages of the fire must have been intense: there was a large crack from top to bottom of the shop’s front window.

The damage at the back was heavy indeed, but it seemed likely that some of the furniture near the front of the shop might be salvaged, although it must have been affected to some extent by the heat and the water. Miss Nelson has operated the business for about seven years. The shop was closed yesterday, although she called there briefly for mail. She spent the day at the races—where, she said, she also lost—and was at her home when she received a telephone call from a friend advising her of the fire. She said last evening that she held some insurance on the building and effects. but she did not recall the exact terms of her policy.