FIRES IN ASHBURTON.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 81, 30 December 1907, Page 6

FIRES IN ASHBURTON.

DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT DESTROYED. INADEQUATE APPLIANCES. (by telegraph.—pbess a.bsociation.l Ashburton, December 29. Another disastrous fire occurred on Saturday night, when the drapery establishment of Mr. Robert Alcorn ■ was completely destroyed. Tho building was an old wooden ono of- two stories, situated in Havelock Street, and was soon a mass of'flames. The alarm, was given about five minutes past ton! Mr. Alcorn had locked up a,t 9.45 p.m., andj although the brigade was early on .the scene, and worked hard/ they could do little to check the'.progress of tho flames with their inadequate appliances—an ongino which,takes fifteen minutes to get ap steam, and an insufficient water supply. Fortunately/ tho night was calm, with no wind blowing, otherwise a number of wooden buildings in the vicinity; including the Courthouse, might also have'been destroyed. Tho destruction of the building, which' bolongs to .Mr. John Baker, and the stock was complete in ,less than an hour, si> furious did tho fire burn. Tho Brigade did good service in saving an. adjoining brick building, also owned by Mr. John Baker, and occupied by Mr. F. Ferriman, land aud estate agent. Mr. Ferriman's loss, which was mostly by water, ia small. •! ' Tho insurance on Mr. Alcorn's drapery is: Stock, £1800, in the Standard office. Up to a month'ago the amount-of insuranco was £2000, but a £200 policy was allowed to. lapse, owing to tho stock being reduced. Mr. Alcorn estimates his loss at £1000 over the insurance. The wooden building, which was completely destroyed, was insured in tho South British for £300. To-day at ono o'clock the lire-bell again rang out. This time tho fire was located in the Borough Council's implements shed, which is situated immediately at the rear of the Firo Brigado Station. Although, the Brigade was on the scene at once, the shed was completely destroyed, also three dray 3 bolongiiig to the Council. It is understood that tho shod and contents arc insurod, but tho amount is not available. There is no cluo as to* the origin of the fires, but there is an uneasy feeling in tho community, as during tho last month thero have been seven fires. It may also be mentioned that a schome' for a high pressure water supply at the poll taken on October 11 last. ,