OLD LANDMARK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 64, 17 March 1927, Page 12

OLD LANDMARK

DESTGYED BY FIRE-

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DTJNEDIN, 10th March. A- big blaze occurred in the city tonight, shortly after 7.30, while the streets were still thionged with people who had turned out on the occasion of the visit of the Duke of York, the Choral Hall, an old landmark in, Moray place, being completely gutted. The building l.as been occupied for some time as a clothing and robe factory by Butterworth Elros., the under floor being occupied by F. B. Francis and Co., land^ agents. The brigade was early on the scene and quickly had four leads going into the body of the building. For sometime, however, this made little impression on the firo, the flames bursting through the corrugated roof and lighting up the.city. Two more leads were t/en got in and worked on to the roof. The lead on the huge extension ladder suffered from lack of pressure, and it was some time before the second lead on the roof was able to pour in water. At about 8.20 th« deluge of water had gained the mastery, leaving the inside of the building a gutted smouldering mass. '

The building was owned by the trustees of the Taylor Estate,: and is insured in the Standard Office for £2000 The. contents of Butterworth 's factory wore insured in the Commercial Union Office, but tl amount was not ascertainable to-night.