FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 5

FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH

CHRISTMAS STOCKS DESTROYED [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, October 19. A warehouse property known as Marriner Building, 212 Madras Street, was badly damaged by lire about midday to-day. The loss is estimated at between <£7ooo and £BOOO. Fhe principal damage was done on the top floor, where the importing firm of David M. Bain and Sons lost much of its big Christmas stocks. The building is own.ed by Mr. Bain, and is of two storeys. The lire was first, noticed about 12.20 p.m., at the back of the top floor, and it was soon out of control. Within a few minutes the Brigade arrived, and, running leads through several windows, they kept the flames down, though there was a heavy volume of smoke throughout the building. Within half an hour the fire was well under control. The top floor was destroyed and the ground floor was badly damaged by water. The basement, occupied by Mr. C. H. Lucking, wholesale fruiterer, was damaged by water. Mr. Bain lost much of his big Christmas stocks, which had just arrived, and were being unpacked. They consisted of. fancy goods, books, toys, and crockery.

The building was insured with the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, Ltd., for £2OOO, and the stock with the same company for £4,750.