CHRISTCHURCH FIRE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 33, 2 November 1933, Page 13

CHRISTCHURCH FIRE

Brigade’s Fine Victory Over

Fierce Flames

DAMAGE & INSURANCES By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, November 1. The fire which broke out late lust night in a four-story building in Hereford Street, in the heart of the city, was the most spectacular that has been seen in Christchurch for years. The firemen had a terrific two-hours’ battle against the flames. For a time it seemed to those looking on to be a hopeless task. The fire had a complete hold, and as water was sent in through one window, volumes of smoke and flame poured out from others, lighting up the sky till the glare could be seen for miles around. The buildings nearby were threatened by leaping tongues of flame, and the heat was intense. The firemen eventually, however. conquered. Tons of water took effect, and the towering column of flame died away. ,It was a triumph of fire-fighting organisation. The total damage is estimated at £25,000, The only sufferers by the fire were Weston, Bros, and Co,; leather merchants, Andrews, Baty and Co., printers, etc., Chandler and Co,, Ltd , and the Bencol Oil Co. Those were the only occupants of the building, and earlier information telegraphed last night to the effect that there were other tenants was incorrect, The estimated loss on the building is approximately £7OOO. The insurances were £4700 with the Australian Alliance Assurance Co. Weston Bros.' losses are estimated •at between £15,000 and £17,000. Insurances oh stock and plant were £11,500 with the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Co. Chandler and Co, lost stock estimated to bo worth from £BOO to £lOOO, covered by insurance of £lOOO with the N.Z. Insurance Office. The only damage suffered by the Bencol Oil Company, was by water. A store room containing 2000 gallons of oil was not reached by the flames. The stock was insured for £5OO with the Royal Insurance Co. The main premises of Andrews,. Baty and Co. were in an adjoining building, which was unharmed. The firm used a portion of the destroyed building as a bulk store, where stock was damaged to the extent of £BOO to £lOOO. The total insurances of Andrews, Baty and Co. are £7OOO with tho Northern Assurance Co., £7OOO with the Halifax Fire Insurance Co., and £l5OO with the Liverpool, London, and Globe Office. It was at first believed that the fire originated in Weston Bros.’ workshop. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but Superintendent Warner, of the Fire Brigade, said to-day he was satisfied the fire did not start on the top floor. It apparently originated in the paint shop at the rear of Chandler and Co.’s premises immediately above the point at which the fire was burning most fiercely when the outbreak was discovered. '