FIRE AT TE KUITI

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1932, Page 5

FIRE AT TE KUITI

HEAVY DAMAGE CAUSED [FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, September 19. A fire that is described as havihg been the biggest in the history of the towxx occurred at Ta Kuiti to-night. It resulted in the destruction of five business premises. They were those occupied by the .following:—H. C. Evans, boot and shoe store; Luen Cheng, fruiterei’ and confectioner; Te Kuiti Bargain Stores, owned by Mason and Dobson; D. McCorkindale, saddler; J. F. Hogan, tobacconist. The fire, apparently, started in the real’ of the Bargain Stores, and it had a firm hold before the alarm was given. The Fire Brigade saved the Post Office, which was scorched, and. several of its windows were cracked. Most of the stock in McCorkindale’s shop was saved. Some of the stock was also removed from Hogan’s shop. The Brigade had a strenuous fight, being assisted in the salvage work by the police and the spectators. POST OFFICE’S NARROW ESCAPE TE KUITI, September 20. Last night’s fire was one of the most disastrous in the history of Te Kuiti. There was very little wind, otherwise the outbreak would have spread to the Post Office. It was only by the efforts of the brigade, and the fact that there was a ten-feet right of way between the burning building and the Post Office, that a more serious conflagration was prevented. The work of the brigade was very much hampered by the intense heat, it being impossible to approach within a chain of the fire. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. McCorkindale’s stock and plant were insured for £250 (total loss £1000). Bargain stock and fittings £l6OO (total loss £2800); Evans’s stock £l7OO (total loss £3000); Luen Chen, stock not covered. The total estimated damage is between £BOOO and £9OOO.

WELLINGTON INQUIRY.

WELLINGTON, September 19.

The inquiry into a fire which occurred in an Aro Street residence on July 12, was concluded this afternoon.

Detective Waterson said that the fire had been started in at least three places, and he was unable to ascertain where the shavings came from.

Mr. M'Neil said it was so apparent that preparations had been made to burn the place down that it was deemed necessary to hold an inquiry. He had heard all the available evidence and it did not seem he could come to any definite conclusion. He returned a formal finding that the premises had been found on fire. He was satisfied it had been done deliberately, but there was no evidence to show who was responsible.