FIRE IN MAWHERA QUAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 July 1923, Page 7

FIRE IN MAWHERA QUAY

MAYFAIR BUILDING GUTTED.

ESTIMATED LOSS £6,000. Early this morning a destructive fire broke out in the upstarts portion of the Mayfair Drapery building in Mawhera Quay damaging the greater portion of tlidfc interior and causing the destruction of about £6,000 worth of stock belonging to the Mayfair aim to the warehousemen who used the upper portion of the place as sample rooms. The lire’s origin is unknown. The alarm was given by Constable J. Brazier, at 4.16 a.m. The fire, which must have been raging inside for some time, then had a good hold of the building. Flames burst through the windows and roof, and' leaping to a great height, made a brilliant display that could be seen for miles around. touch was the heat that wooden buildings in the adjoining lane, particularly that occupied by Mr H. Bruhn, butcher, were scorched. The building is one oi q crowded block and is only a few doors away from the Railway and Royal Hotels, whose occupants were naturally alarmed at the lire. Acting on the advice of Constable Brazier, the people at the Railway Hotel left the place until the possibility of the fire’s spreading along the block was eliminated. The prompt work of the firemen, however, combined with the fact that the. walls are of stone, fortunately confined the fire to the building in which it originated. Very shortly after the alarm, was given the-Fire Brigade, under Deputy,Superintendent P. Deere (in the absence, through illness, of Superintendent T. Clarke) was on the scene and lost no time in establishing "three leads of hose. They confined the flames to the upper part of the building. The men fought the flames efficiently with the result that in about 25 minutes the flames were subdued. Many times the Brigade has been complimented on their good work, but on this occasion a special tribute is due to them, not only for the manner in which they subdued the fire, but also for preventing its spread. The only outside damage is that sustained by Mr J. Dumble, hairdresser, the skylight of whose shop, which is next door, was broken. .In spite of the chilly breath of “the

barber,”, not to speak of the early hour, a big crowd of spectators was attracted by the sight of the flames. Later this morning the building was a woeful sight. The stone walls stand but the upper windows are gone and through them could be seen a tangled mass? of charred wood. The iron, roof was torn and twisted where the flames burst through. The interior of the building was in a> terrible mess. The whole of the upstairs portion was burned, together with the stairs. The shop below’was not seriously damaged by fire, but* water is everywhere and practically none of the stock escaped damage. ■ 6 The building is owned by Kettle Bros., and insured in the North British office for £1950. The Mayfair stock and fittings, which are the property of Messrs McGruer’s (Westland) Ltd., were insured with the Excess Insurance Company for £4OOO. lhe Mayfair stock, which occupies the lower portion of the. building, is barely touched by lire, but practically all of it—mercery,| clothes, boots, and travelling requisites, is. ruined by water and smoke. The shop is intact except for a large, glass partition adjoining the stairs at the rear. This is totally wrecked. The. other occupants of the building were the Auckland Import Co. and Forbes, Ltd., of Lyttelton, who are represented by Mr Baldwin. The Auckland Import Company’s stock, which consists of drapery and cloth goods, is quite ruined with smoke and water. The stocks are valued at £5,500 and the consigned stocks at . £2OOO. The stock is insured for £4OOO in the office of the Excess Insurance Co. Particulars of the insurance on the consigned stocks were not available this afternoon. The most unlucky tenants are Forbes Ltd., whose, stock of hardware, etc . was ’ stored in the front portion or the upper story. Tins part of the building suffered mroe from the flames more than any other, and about £5OO worth of goods, which were not insured, was totally destroyed. Full particulars concerning the firm s loss could not be obtained to-day, owing to the absence of their representative, Mr. Baldwin, in Westport. The firemen were engaged this afternoon in clearing the building of dangerous wreckage. Some of the beams which they’ took from the roof were. still brightly smouldering. It is not expected that there will be a further outbreak, but watchmen will be on duty continuously until all danger is passed. BIG SWEDISH OUTBREAK. COPENHAGEN, July 4. Damage totalling over three million kroner, was caused by a fire in Skoghall timber yard, Karlstad, one of the most modern yards in Sweden, equipped with electric tramways.

Three thousand standards were destroyed. The fire spread over a kilometre and a-half, burning farm buildings, cattle and sheep. A thqnsahd men fought the lire unavailingly. The Atlas Fire Marine and Accident Insurance Coy., Ltd., covers all risks. Consult Mark Sprot and Co., 1 id., Attorneys fof West Coast. Advt.