SERIES OF FIRES

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 January 1928, Page 5

SERIES OF FIRES

MARTON PREMISES ABLAZE MANAGER'S NARROW ESCAPE (Per Press Association.) MARTON, January 12. Fire at three o’clock this morning totally destroyed the premises of Barraud and Abraham, farming merchants. The building of ,two storeys was very old, and the flames had a good hold. They Avere discovered by the nightwatchman, Avho attempted to arouse the manager, Mr Keeling, who Avas sleeping on the top storey. Getting no reply, the watchman thought the manager Avas out of toAvn. A feAv minutes later Keeling, who Avg.s soundly asleep, aAvakened to find the room full'of smoke. He escaped by a AvindoAv, and got doAvn by the firm’s signboard, only just in time. A second later, the whole building Avas ablaze, The premises contained inflammable material, Avhich menaced the adjoining White Hart Hotel and Farmers’ Co-op./ premises, but the Brigade made a wonderful save of these buildings, • and confined the outbreak to Barraud’s, which are noAv completely ruined. The cost of the damage is unknown/but is believed to run into several thousands. Insurances on the building Avere £2OOO and on the stock £2500 in the Com-' mercial Union. DAMAGE AT BAKERY. , WELLINGTON, January 12. At 12.55 this morning, fire broke out in the storeroom and bakehouse of Dustins Ltd. Damage was done by fire , 1 and water to the first, floor and contents, and by Avater to the ground* floor. The building was owned by the McCarthy Trust, and insured for £l5OO (British Traders). A policy on the contents was held in the same office for £2090.

SHOPS DESTROYED. GISBORNE, January 12. A fire gutted two shops in Cook Street, Tolaga Bay at aii early hour this morning. The building was owned by W. A. Tulloch, of Auckland, and occupied by W. Fox, Tailor, and A. Singe, Hairdresser. HOUSE AND CAR BURNT. GISBORNE, January 12. Fire destroyed the seven-roomed dwelling owned by Biggar and occupied by Frayling. The occupant lost ..the whole of the furniture and a motor car, which were uninsured. The building was insured for £1250. , GARAGE ON FIRE. THAMES, January 12. Fire at 2 a.m. destroyed two Hudson Sedpns, and one Hudson tourer, in a garage belonging to Corbett and Winder, taxi proprietors. The fire had a good hold when found. One,Sedan was insured for £4OO. The insurance on the others is unavailable. The brigade made a- good save of a residence ten feet away. There was a good water supply. BUSH' FIRES. 'Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, JanuaryULl. Bush fires are raging in the Bendigo and Ballarat districts. In the latter, the township of Scarsdale is threatened with extinction, and the women and children have been removed to safety. MELBOURNE, January 12. A bush fire, sweeping through the thick hush country at the basin near Bayswater, did considerable damage to propertv. Two houses were burned. It is feared that several others are. gutted. The Are is still raging. A large force of fighters are in attendance. •• ••