FIRE GUTS SHOPS IN DANNEVIRKE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28133, 23 November 1956, Page 3

FIRE GUTS SHOPS IN DANNEVIRKE

FIGHT TO PREVENT BLAZE SPREADING (New Zealand Press Association) DANNEVIRKE. November 22. The Dannevirke Volunteer Fire Brigade fought for almost an hour from shortly before midnight last night to check a blaze that gutted three High street shops and caused damage to at least four others. The fire, which had a firm hold when the brigade arrived at 11.40, threatened to spread throughout a large section of the Dannevirke business area, but was beaten by the prompt action of the volunteer firemen. Smoke billowed high over the town, fanned by a slight breeze, and attracted at least 300 people to the scene. It was the most spectacular blaze seen in Dannevirke’s business area since 1948, when the same building was gutted. The buildings gutted were a drapery. a fruiterer's, and a dry-cleaning premises. A jeweller’s shop and a dispensary were damaged by smoke and water. A hairdresser’s premises escaped the fire, but suffered loss through smoke and water, as did his neighbour, a men’s outfitter. No estimate of the damage could be given this morning.