BATTLE WITH FLAMES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 106, 1 November 1933, Page 12

BATTLE WITH FLAMES

CHEISTCHUECH BLAZE

MOST SPECTACULAR FOR YEARS

FIRE-FIGHTING TRIUMPH

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) | CHBISTCHUBCH, This Day. A fire which broke out late last night in a four-storey building in Hereford Street, in the heart of the city, was the most spectacular that has been seen in Christchurch for years. The building was occupied by thirty-five tenants, the chief among them being Chandler and Co., advertising agents, and Weston Bros., leather merchants. The owners are Mac Gibbons Buildings, Ltd. The alarm, was received by the brigade at 10.50 p.m., and when it arrived at the fire a few moments later the top floor of the building was ablaze, and it was at once apparent that the brigade would not bo able to extinguish the flames easily or speedily. Indeed, against the efforts of. the firemen, the flames spread rapidly at the back of the building, and the fire soon involved all floors, and the roof fell. At the front of the building the firemen were able to keep a measure of control, and there the lower floors were not actually consumed. 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 ono window volumes of smoke and flame poured 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 aiyay. It was a triumph of fire-fighting organisation. The total damage is estimated at £25,000; of which Weston Bros, lost £13,000. The insurances on Weston Bros.' stock and fittings is £9000, in the London, Liverpool, and Globe Offices. ' The building was of brick and concrete, with wooden floors. It was recently reroofed with wood and iron. The site occupies the whole space between the seven-storeyed New Zealand Express Co.'a premises and the new T. and 6. insurance offices. At the back the building was of, four storeys and at the front one section was four and tho other three 'storeys.