DISASTROUS FIRES. OUTBREAKS AT MASTERTON.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1909, Page 7

DISASTROUS FIRES. OUTBREAKS AT MASTERTON.

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DONE. BRIGADE DOES GOOD WORK. f.BT TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MASTERTON, This Day. A disastrous fire in Queen-street started just before one o'clock this morning, at the back of a large unoccupied boardinghouse forming part of the premises known as "The Star Block," and containing Clarke's restaurant, Blinkhorne's hairdresser's shop, Ah Lop's fruiterer's shop, Cole and Westerman's drapery establishment, Home's confectionery shop, and Langston's billiard room. The fire had a good hold when the alarm was given. The buildings belonged to the Trust Lands Trust, and were erected many years ago. The brigade did splendid work, and confined the fire to Ah Lop's and Home's premises, and the unoccupied boardinghouse. Mr. and Mrs. Home and two children ! slept on the premises, and had a rather narrow escape. INSURANCES. .The insurances, as far as ascertainable, are as follow :—: — : Boardinghouse, billiard-room, and ! shops, £450 in the London and Lancashire office. On the four shops adjacent, one of , which was gutted and the others damaged considerably by fire and water — £600 in the Northern Assurance office, and £200 in the Alliance. Langston's billiard-table and fittings, £200 in the North British. Home's stock, £300 in the Australian Alliance office. Cole and Westerman, £600 in the Royal. Blinkhorne's slock and fittings, damaged by water, £400 in the Commercial .Union. Clarke's cafe, £250 — office not known yet. ANOTHER FIRE. • Immediately following this fire, another alarm was sounded. The outbreak was found to be at Butement's brewery, an old, unocupied building in Corn-wall-street, which was destroyed. The insurance was £100. OVER THIRTY YEARS OLD. LOSS ABOVE INSURANCES. EXPECTED TO BE ENORMOUS. MASTERTON, This Day. The greater portion of the block of buildings in which the fire originated was over thirty years old, being built of heart of totara timber. The premises occupied by Ah Lop, F. Langstone, and W. Home were practically destroyed, and the remaining shops in the block so badly damaged that it is hoped the Borough Council will prevent them being patched up. It is anticipated that the loss übove the insurances on the various stocks will total a considerable amount, as, owing to the inflammable nature of the buildings, only light risks were obtainable. Butement's brewery, which was destroyed by fire at 4 o'clock this morning, was not in use, but, nevertheless, carried a complete brewing plant. Negotiations for its purchase were proceeding. SUGGESTED BRICK STRUCTURE. Pressure is being brought to bear on the Trust Lands Trust to re-erect the whole block in which the fire occurred in brick. It is directly opposite the post office, and one of the best business positions in the town.