FIRE AT OPUNAKE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2379, 8 February 1915, Page 6

FIRE AT OPUNAKE

FOUR BUILDINGS DESTROYED.. (By Telegraph.—Press Hawera, February s. . About 1C o'clock on Friday night a disastrous lire broke out at the Opunake Hotel, resulting in the total destruction; of the building,!, a cottage; stables, Judson's coachbuilding factory, and Aitkens's smithy. A Maori.gave the 'alarm..'to- the proprietor" of the-hotel, • and the firebell. was. rung. 'Willing assistance was soon to hand, and a bucket brigade was formed. It'was quickly seen that it was Impossible . t<ti. save the lot-el block, and .the volunteer brigade's efforts were concentrated on . saving the adjoining buildings.>■< The heat from the fire broke the windows of the garage to the west of the fire area, and more than once the walls of that building caught fire. Tho flamee were; however, extinguished, - and the garage saved. On tbe other side of the main street the buildings were for some considerable time in danger. The efforts of many willing workers; however, were, successful in preventing the fire spreading. Fortunately there was only a light breeze, blowing, cr the damage would, have been greater. = It is supposed that the cause of tbe, fire was a;defective chimney. . The insurances available are: Opunake Hotel, £1800 in the "Guardian"' ofiicei; stables, £300 in the New Zea-. lanjl office; Judson's, £100; Aitkens's, £40; both tbe latter are in the Royal office.. The fire made a big hole in the bu6l»; ness area of the town.